Concrete Walkway Tripping Hazard Repair at Chili’s Restaurant
BEFORE: There was a significant Tripping hazard between the concrete walkway and granite curbing.
AFTER: Slabjacking quickly raised the concrete walkway, eliminating the tripping hazard before the dinner rush.
The Challenge
The concrete walkways surrounding the restaurant had experienced differential settlement, creating multiple pronounced tripping hazards where the sidewalk met the granite curbing. These uneven surfaces posed a serious safety risk to patrons and staff and exposed the property owner to potential liability. The issue was especially problematic given the restaurant’s high daily foot traffic and constant pedestrian flow during peak lunch and dinner hours.
Project Considerations
Full removal and replacement of the concrete walkways was not a practical solution. Construction activity would have significantly disrupted business operations and customer access, and there were no ideal time windows to close off the walkways. Additionally, replacing the slabs would have been costly and time-intensive. A fast, minimally invasive repair method was required to correct the tripping hazards while keeping the restaurant fully operational.
Our Solution
Engineered Foundation Technologies utilized slabjacking, a pressure grouting technique designed to lift and level settled concrete slabs. Small access holes were drilled into the affected walkway areas, and a specialized grout was injected beneath the slabs to raise them back to their proper elevation. This approach eliminated the tripping hazards without the need for demolition or replacement and allowed work to proceed efficiently around active pedestrian areas.
Results & Benefits
All tripping hazards were successfully eliminated in a single working day. The walkways were restored to a safe, level condition with minimal disruption to restaurant operations. Slabjacking provided a durable and cost-effective alternative to traditional concrete replacement, resolving the safety issue quickly while preserving customer access and business continuity.