Often times the city or possibly private property owner will use asphalt to create a small hump in a city sidewalk where there is a raised area of concrete by filling in the raised area creating a smooth gradual slope which is clearly less of a hazard.

Since it is done on city sidewalk, I assume it is sometimes done by city.

That give me the impression that that asphalt hump might be considered to be a reasonable temporary solution to raised concrete on walkway on private property.

Do you think that is a reasonable action as a quick reduction of hazard with plan to replace a few months later?

I'll give you my answer at the end of my spiel. Back in 1998, the City used to warn owners to make repairs to the sidewalk in front of their properties, or else the city would heir a contactor and charge the homeowner Triple their cost.

Then the city decided to waive the "permit" fee's, anywhere from $50 to $75 per property.

I got a note to repair a sidewalk in front of an apartment building own. The city would not let me get a "Free" permit, saying that was for single homes only. It did not say that anywhere in the new code--they will full of it.

So with my diamond saw I cut the large squares, 2' x 2' or 2' x 3' along the expansion joint (grooves). And then using my Toe Jack I lifted 1 section of the sidewalk, then cut out the root and leveled the dirt with sand. Lowing each section back in place. Then using a flexible color coated caulking, sealed the seams.

The inspector was pissed, no bribes or permit fee's for the block. I heled all owners avoid this nonsense.

The asphalt patches to help level sidewalks can be applied by the city, owner or contractor. This will prevent people from tripping, balling and breaking their bone or neck!

Robert,

It seemed like a reasonable temporary fix but I was not sure what you would say because I thought you might say there was never a good reason to not do the complete total job with new concrete.

I think if you can replace the sidewalk and no trees will ever lift it up again -- It's not such a bad idea. The last time I replace a side walk I had to cover it with plywood otherwise the kids in the neighborhood would damage it by writing something bad in it.

I think if you can replace the sidewalk and no trees will ever lift it up again -- It's not such a bad idea. The last time I replace a side walk I had to cover it with plywood otherwise the kids in the neighborhood would damage it by writing something bad in it.

Robert,

When using asphalt to fill in a small raised area of concrete, it would usually be more than a small crack.

So, does than asphalt filler to make it into a small hump need to actually be hot asphalt, or is there some good product that can be used for the purpose of creating a small slope of asphalt??

I'm hoping not to need to do hot asphalt since I only need a very small area and it would be so much more convenient to be able to trowel on some cold product.

Thanks.

Robert,

When I hear anybody mention a repair that requires quick drying and high strength, the first thing that comes to mind is the Rapid Set Mortar Mix or maybe their version of Concrete. But this is not my area of expertise.

Can you please suggest a better product??

You will find at Home Depot a whole line of concrete patching compounds in buckets ready mixed and some in powder form.

For example they have a Quikrete20 lb. Polymer Modified Structural Concrete Repair, Used for sealing cracks in masonry and concrete up to 1 in. wide

Strength of 2,500 PSI in 3 hours and 7,500 PSI in 28 days

Ensures a fast setting time between 20-40 minutes.

They also sell Quikrete 10 lb. Quick-Setting Cement is a very fast setting concrete repair product. This product has the unique characteristic of being able to be sculpted and molded as it sets. The set time for this product is 10-15 minutes. Quikrete 10 lb. Quick-Setting Cement is perfect for making repairs to the edges of curbs and concrete steps.

So if you go online or ask an expert in that department what you need a product for, they can recommend one to you.

However, this is the key to success. You buy a small container and test it in an out of they way place. For example my friend needed to fix cracks at the landing of a set of stairs that 30 tenants walked on every day. Instead of fixing a crack under the steps where no one walks, he just applied the mixture right on the landing/walkway. It dried and hand some small gravel that made the are un-walkable. A disaster. His wife called me and said the magic word, "HELP!".

I showed up with my surface concrete grinder and dust recovery system. Within 20 minutes I took down any uneven spots. Then using a 18,000 PSI filler, I fixed the surface and gave it a sandy anti-slide finish.

Robert,

Thank you very much for very good product info. T really appreciate it.

One thing I might disagree with though. I think the days of being able to obtain worthwhile info from most people working at Home Depot are usually a thing of the past. You might get lucky but usually not. I do believe many at Home Depot were excellent but that was years ago. Of course I no longer even try to call Home Depot on phone. That's true of other places also. Most stores just figure if they do not pick up the phone then you'll eventually need to come in. Of course with online sales, that might not always be true either.

I assume you are referring to the True Value Hardware stores, but if I'm wrong let me know. I was not aware of the difference between ACE, True Value, Do It Best, etc. I'm typically on Westside or some areas of Valley so I'll look into that.

Thanks.

Sorry, those three are great at times, I was thinking of DIY Home Center in Chatsworth. But Ace Hardware, True Value and all others are also better help then Home Depot or Lowes when it comes to advice.

On topic of hardware stores, I am still amazed at the decline over the years of B & B Hardware.

Went from great hardware store to what I now view as, well, I don't even know what to call it anymore. People say it had a lot to do with family ownership related to family dispute. Depressing for me to even walk in there.