Whether you’ve got seniors living in your home or small children, in theory, anyone can trip and hurt themselves on cracked or uneven concrete, so it’s worth inspecting the walkways, stairs, patios and pool decks around your home for signs of trip hazards.
Just how common are falls, slips and trips in the U.S.?
A lot more common than you might think, unfortunately.
According to research data from a host of safety-related organizations and the insurance industry, time lost from work, injuries, disabilities and even deaths, are caused in their millions every year by people tripping or slipping. While accidents such as this can happen anywhere, preventing them from happening at your home is much easier since you have more control of the situation, and can schedule regular maintenance work and repairs when needed.
What can turn concrete into a trip hazard?
In relation to public sidewalks and other public facilities constructed from concrete, the American Disabilities Act states that any surface with a ¼ or more difference in elevation, can be defined as a trip hazard. While your home of course isn’t open to the public, you should still be conscious of visitors or family members safety when approaching your home, walking around it, or enjoying the yard space, and check for any discrepancies in the flat concrete’s elevation.
Cracks and gaps in concrete are obvious tripping hazards, but poor lighting and obstructions can make them even more of a risk since they are less visible.
Common trip hazards to look out for at your home
As soon as you spot any of the potential hazards listed below, you should seek help from a professional masonry contractor to have them repaired and made safe again:
- Cracks or uneven concrete
Any difference in the elevation of concrete slabs or pavers, must be addressed as a matter of urgency, and these are often spotted between the slabs or at the joints. Typically caused by moisture changes beneath the concrete, the settlement of soil causes voids or pockets, in what’s commonly referred to as concrete settlement.
Uneven concrete can also damage vehicles and wheelchairs when being moved over them, so it’s a good idea to resolve the issue swiftly to minimize problems.
- Cracked or damaged stairs
It goes without saying that if you have concrete stairs at your property, they should have an appropriate handrail which is kept in good condition. If your concrete stairs are coming away from the foundation, or if there are any big cracks or gaps, you’ll need to have a masonry contractor carry out an evaluation for leveling.
A fall on concrete stairs has the potential to cause far kore harm than on other surfaces, so keeping them in good, safe order is in everybody’s best interests.
- Rebar and root problems
While concrete is very durable, it can begin to degrade or corrode over time, especially when exposed to less than favourable weather conditions over a prolonged period. When degradation occurs, it’s not uncommon to see the steel rebar rods beginning to poke up through the concrete’s surface, presenting a very real trip risk. Tree roots can also present the same risk should they have begun to grow up through the concrete.
If you see anything poking up through your concrete, schedule a masonry assessment at the earliest.
- Uneven pool deck slabs
Not only might someone trip on an uneven concrete slab surrounding your pool, but the difference in surface elevation can encourage water to pool there, making the entire surface slippery and even more of a tripping and slipping hazard.
If you spot any cracked concrete around your pool, or notice height discrepancies between any of the slabs, you should have these professionally repaired immediately, and consider your pool off limits until the problem is resolved.
To make the pathways, patios, driveways and pool deck of your home as safe as they can possibly be, ask a local masonry contractor to come out and assess all the concrete surfaces, and repair any issues that they, or you may have spotted.