Sidewalk Trip Hazard Removal

Safety and Accessibility

Diamond Coring provides concrete grinding and maintenance services to help you avoid a liability case and to ensure you comply with Federal Law to remove all trip hazards from sidewalks and pedestrian walkways. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines a trip hazard as any vertical change of 1/4" or more at a joint or crack in a walkway surface.

If you are a Property Manager, Municipality, School District, or Home Owner's Association, you can reduce your financial liability associated with trip-related pedestrian injuries by understanding how hazards occur and what preventative measures are available to you.

ADA Accessibility Guidelines

4.5 Ground and Floor Surfaces.

4.5.1* General. Ground and floor surfaces along accessible routes and in accessible rooms and spaces including floors, walks, ramps, stairs, and curb ramps, shall be stable, firm, slip-resistant, and shall comply with 4.5.

4.5.2 Changes in Level. Changes in level up to 1/4 in (6 mm) may be vertical and without edge treatment. Changes in level between 1/4 in and 1/2 in (6 mm and 13 mm) shall be beveled with a slope no greater than 1:2. Changes in level greater than 1/2 in (13 mm) shall be accomplished by means of a ramp that complies with 4.7 or 4.8.

Full ADA Accessibility Guidelines Document

  • Changes in sidewalk elevation occur due to such occurrences as:

    • Tree roots pushing upwards

    • Heaving and settling due to frost

    • Buckling due to displacement of sub base

  • Such changes in elevation can cause major problems and result in serious injuries that affect:

    • Pedestrians with mobility impairments: difficulty lifting feet, or crutches which can cause trips and falls

    • Pedestrians with visibility impairments: difficulty detecting changes in elevation which can cause trips and falls

    • Pedestrians with wheel chairs or wheel chair riders: difficulty with or inability to roll over steep changes in elevation

Diamond Coring’s sidewalk services allow you to:

  • Manage Your Hardscapes

    Control your sidewalk trip hazards: manage costs effectively by remedying potential hazard areas. We can evaluate your facility or public way needs to provide you with a survey outlining areas that require attention.

  • Comply with ADA Guidelines and Limit Exposure to Financial Liability

    Grinding is a cost effective remedy that provides a smooth transition between uneven concrete slabs.

  • Avoid Costly Concrete Replacement

    More economical than concrete replacement, Diamond Coring's safe, clean trip hazard removal process utilizes custom, specialized state-of-the-art equipment to level uneven sidewalks and curbs and ensure safe and easy access by pedestrians and wheel chair riders.

Sidewalk Trip Hazard Removal Key Summary

Compliance

Meets ADA requirements, reducing legal exposure.

Safety

Prevents trip-related injuries by leveling uneven surfaces.

Applications

Ideal for property managers, municipalities, school districts, and homeowners' associations.