Sidewalks & Steps in Joliet, IL

Sidewalks and steps are where people trip, so they are where uneven concrete matters most. Around Joliet, we see two common situations. On older blocks, where Point2Homes data shows about 15.7 percent of the city's homes date from 1939 or earlier, front stoops have often pulled away from the house and walks have been lifted by parkway trees. In the 1990s and 2000s subdivisions, original walks and stoops have settled and the step from the porch to the walk has grown taller.

What Joliet requires for private walks

The City of Joliet's driveway and sidewalk permit page says private sidewalks must be concrete or brick pavers and must stay out of all easements. Where there are no easements, a sidewalk may sit at least 3 feet from the property line. Like driveways and patios, walks need a plat of survey for the permit, even for a same-size replacement. Work on the public sidewalk may require Public Works approval. We check your plat and mark the new walk before we file.

Building a walk that lasts

We remove the old concrete, dig out soft soil, and compact a stone base. HomeGuide's sidewalk guide notes that most walks are 4 to 6 inches thick, with thicker concrete where traffic is heavier. We set a slight cross slope so water runs off into the lawn, cut control joints at regular spacing, and finish with a broom texture for grip. Where a walk meets the house or a stoop, an isolation joint lets each piece move on its own.

Concrete steps and stoops

Poured steps are formed in place to fit your entry. We keep riser heights and tread depths even from top to bottom, which is what makes stairs feel safe, and build the landing large enough to open a storm door while standing on it. Steps need a solid footing so they do not settle away from the house. HomeGuide's steps guide lists poured steps at $200 to $500 per step and precast at $100 to $350, and we can quote either.

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Repair or replace?

• Leveling: a sunken walk panel or stoop in good shape can often be lifted. HomeGuide lists mudjacking steps at $300 to $700.
• Resurfacing: light flaking on a sound walk can be resurfaced at $3 to $7 per square foot, per HomeGuide.
• Replacement: walks with wide cracks, trip edges or deep scaling, and stoops that have cracked through or pulled away, are better replaced.

Railings and finishing touches

We can coordinate railing installation for steps, add a stamped or colored border to a front walk, and pour a landing pad at the side or back door. If you are redoing the front of the house, it often makes sense to do the walk, stoop and driveway apron together so the slopes match.

Winter care

Shovel early, use sand rather than rock salt the first winter, and keep downspouts from dumping water onto walks and steps, where it refreezes into ice.