Sidewalks & Steps in Tigard, OR

Sidewalks and steps are where old concrete turns into a trip hazard. A walk panel lifted by a tree root, a stoop that has settled away from the house, or steps with uneven risers can catch anyone, and wet, mossy concrete makes it worse for much of the year in Tigard. In this city there is an extra reason to keep walks in shape: the public sidewalk in front of your house is your responsibility.

Tigard's sidewalk rule

The City of Tigard's sidewalk maintenance page says property owners are responsible for maintaining and repairing sidewalks adjacent to their property so they stay safe, accessible and free of obstructions. Tigard Municipal Code 15.12.010 makes it a duty of owners of land next to a public sidewalk, says maintenance includes removing snow and ice, and states that an owner who neglects it is liable to anyone injured as a result.

Repairs in the right-of-way go through the city's Public Facilities Improvement (PFI) permit. The permit packet lists sidewalk or curb installation or repair under 500 square feet as Type 2 minor work and says there is no fee for sidewalk repair or replacement up to 20 linear feet. The owner signs the application or authorizes the contractor. Questions go to rowpermits@tigard-or.gov or 503-684-4977. We handle the permit as part of the job and build the panels to the city's requirements for the right-of-way.

Warning signs

• A lip of half an inch or more between panels
• Panels raised or cracked by street tree roots
• A stoop that has dropped or pulled away from the foundation
• Step edges that are chipped or rounded off
• Risers of different heights
• Water that sits on the walk after rain
• Surfaces slick with moss or algae

Rebuilding a walk

We saw and remove the damaged panels, dig out soft soil, and compact a rock base. HomeGuide's sidewalk guide notes most walkways are 4 to 6 inches thick, thicker for heavier traffic. The walk gets a slight cross slope so rain runs to the lawn or planter strip, a broom finish for wet-weather grip and tooled or sawn joints on even spacing. When a street tree caused the lift, we talk through options before pouring, since a new panel over the same root will lift again.

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Stoops and poured steps

Steps are formed in place to match your door threshold and landing. Every riser should be the same height and every tread the same depth, or people stumble. The top landing needs enough room to stand while opening a storm door. A heavy stoop sitting on loose fill will settle, so we check what is under the old steps first. Precast steps are an option on some homes, and we can price both.

Handrails

Steps with more than a couple of risers are safer with a rail, especially when they are wet. When we pour new steps we can set rail anchors into the fresh concrete so the rail bolts down solidly.

Keeping walks safe

Sweep needles and leaves often, clean moss early and reseal every few years. During an ice storm, use sand or a de-icer labeled safe for concrete, and avoid products with ammonium compounds, which attack the cement paste. Seal small cracks before water gets into them.