avoiding trip hazards concrete surface

Assessing and Avoiding Trip Hazards on Concrete Surfaces

Whether you’re a homeowner with children or a commercial building owner or operator thinking about the safety of employees, damaged or sinking concrete surfaces can present a couple risks. The simplest such concern, and one that’s often on the mind of such individuals, is the risk of a tripping or similar physical hazard.

At Lift-Up Concrete Lifting, LLC, our commercial and residential concrete lifting and leveling services have helped limit trip hazards and resulting liability claims for numerous clients over the years. Whether your hazards are caused by sinking concrete, cracking issues or several other potential concerns, our team will assist you with leveling and several other simple services that raise your safety level and eliminate these risks. Here are some of the common tripping hazards we’ll help you avoid, plus the risks you’re facing from the insurance end of things if you choose to neglect these concerns. 

Common Tripping Hazards

Some of the most common tripping hazards caused by issues with your concrete include:

  • Driveway cracks: The driveway is often one of the largest concrete slabs on any property, and the larger the slab, the greater the risk for soil settlement and related sinking or cracking issues. In cases where the soil beneath the slab is not strong or stable enough to support it, major cracks can develop that pose significant danger to those using the space – both for walking and driving alike. Not only are these cracks a big risk for those moving around in the area, they can even cause vehicle damage when they’re severe enough.
  • Pool deck concerns: For those with in-ground pools on their property, careful attention must be paid to the concrete deck area – especially if you were not the homeowner at the time this area was installed, and cannot be sure it was installed by reputable pros like ours. If the backfill soil wasn’t compacted properly before concrete was placed on top of it, for instance, the deck will eventually settle and sink, bringing major hazards.
  • Step issues: Concrete stairs are generally independent pieces of concrete, but they can easily sink if there’s a lack of proper drainage or soil compaction.
  • Walkways or sidewalk: Similar concrete issues can take place for any walkway or sidewalk area – if someone is injured on a walkway on your property due to this damage, you could be held liable.

Issues With Insurance

Unfortunately, particularly if you’re not thinking about insurance areas until after damage has formed in your concrete, it’s unlikely to benefit you much here. Insurance companies are highly unlikely to insure a “high-risk” area they know is going to cost them money in the near future, and beyond this, concrete repair issues often aren’t included in standard homeowner insurance policies. This is because most policies exclude the conditions that lead to concrete damage – settling, erosion, moisture concerns and even broad land movement. Some policies may cover these concerns after your deductible has been paid, however, so consider this well in advance if you’re worried about potential concrete damage.

For more on limiting trip hazards on your concrete surfaces, or to learn about any of our concrete repair services, speak to the staff at Lift-Up Concrete Lifting, LLC today.