Sidewalks & Walkways in Macon, GA

Sidewalks and walkways in Macon take more abuse than they look like they should. About a quarter of the city's homes were built before 1960, many with their original front walks, and the trees that make Macon neighborhoods so green, from oaks to the hundreds of thousands of Yoshino cherries the city is known for, send roots under concrete that lift and crack it. We replace damaged walk sections, pour new front walks and garden paths, and rebuild concrete steps.

Common walkway problems we see

• Root heave. A tree root grows under a panel and tips it up, leaving a raised edge that catches toes and mower wheels.
• Settled sections. A panel sinks, often near downspouts, and holds water against the house or the step.
• Thin, worn concrete. Older walks were sometimes poured thin with little base. They crack into pieces and the surface wears rough.
• Steps out of line. Steps that have pulled away from the porch or tilted forward are a fall risk.
• Poor drainage. Walks laid flat or toward the house keep water where it does damage.

How we build or replace a walkway

Damaged sections are saw-cut at joints and broken out. If roots caused the problem, we expose them and discuss options with you. Cutting a major root can harm a tree, so sometimes the better plan is to reroute the walk, widen the gap, or bridge the area with reinforcement.

The base is dug out and replaced with compacted stone. Forms are set so the walk is level side to side for comfort and has enough pitch along its length or to one side to shed rain. HomeGuide notes most walkways are 4 to 6 inches thick; we pour thicker where a walk crosses a driveway or might see a mower or cart.

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We finish with a broom texture for traction, tool the edges and place joints every few feet so any cracks follow straight lines. Steps get consistent riser heights and a slight pitch on each tread so water runs off.

Public sidewalks

The sidewalk along the street is often in the public right-of-way, and the rules for working there are different from a walk in your yard. Before we touch a public sidewalk or a driveway apron, we check with Macon-Bibb County's offices, or your town's, on what is allowed and whether a permit is needed. We do not guess on this.

Care tips

Keep downspouts discharging away from walks, fill small cracks before water gets in, and watch for roots lifting new joints near big trees. A broom finish needs little else. Decorative or stamped walks should be resealed every few years.