Front walks, sidewalk sections and steps
Sidewalks & Walkways in Wilmington, DE
Level, safe walks for older streets where tree roots, settling and winters have done their work.
- Free on-site estimates with measurements
- Itemized written quote before any work starts
- Air-entrained mixes and planned control joints for Delaware winters
Fixing the Walks on Wilmington's Older Streets
Sidewalks and walkways are the concrete people notice first, and in Wilmington they are often the oldest concrete on the property. On blocks of rowhomes and twins, the front walk may be only a few feet long, running from the city sidewalk to a stoop, but it sees every visitor, every delivery and every snow shovel. On older streets, mature street trees lift sidewalk slabs as their roots grow, and settled or tipped sections become trip hazards.
Signs a walk or sidewalk needs work
- Slabs lifted or sunk so the edges no longer line up
- Wide cracks, broken corners and missing pieces
- Scaling, where the surface has flaked and the stone shows
- Walks that hold water or ice in winter
- Steps that are loose, cracked or uneven in height
- Old patches that have broken loose
If a slab has only settled and is otherwise sound, leveling may be enough. HomeGuide's leveling guide prices mudjacking a 100 square foot sidewalk at about $400 to $900. If it is broken, heaved by roots or badly scaled, replacement is the lasting fix.
How we replace a walk
We saw-cut the old concrete at clean lines and remove it. Where roots are the problem, we look at what can be done at the slab edge without harming the tree, and we let you know if a city street tree is involved. We compact a stone base, set forms to the right width and slope, and pour an air-entrained mix. HomeGuide notes most walks are 4 to 6 inches thick, and we pour thicker where a walk crosses a driveway. The surface gets a broom finish for grip, edges are tooled, and control joints go in at regular spacing to match the existing sidewalk where we are tying in.
Public sidewalks and permits
The sidewalk along the street is often in the public right-of-way, even though property owners are commonly asked to keep it in repair. Work there may need approval and has to match the existing sidewalk's width, slope and joints. We check what the City of Wilmington or New Castle County requires for your address before we schedule, and we build the section to fit in with the rest of the block.
Steps and stoops
Many Wilmington homes have concrete steps up to the front door or down from the back. Cracked or crumbling steps can often be patched or resurfaced if the structure is sound. When they need to be rebuilt, new steps sit on footings, and New Castle County's footing checklist puts the base of footings at 32 inches below finished grade, below the depth the ground freezes. We pour steps with even risers and a broom finish, and we can add stamped or textured treads.
Walkway options
- Plain broom-finished concrete, the standard for most front walks and sidewalks
- Stamped walks and borders in brick or stone patterns
- Exposed aggregate for texture and grip
- Curved garden paths and side walks to gates and trash areas
Keeping walks safe in winter
Shovel early, before snow gets packed into ice. Skip rock salt on concrete under a year old, and use sand or a gentler de-icer after that. Sealing walks every few years helps keep water and salt out of the surface.
What This Covers
Sidewalk and walkway work covers everything from one broken square to a full new path and steps.
Front walk replacement
The walk from the sidewalk or driveway to your door, removed and repoured.
Public sidewalk sections
Broken or lifted squares replaced to match the block.
Concrete steps and stoops
New poured steps on footings, or repair of sound steps.
Side and garden paths
Walks to gates, sheds, trash areas and the backyard.
Stamped and decorative walks
Brick, stone or exposed aggregate finishes and borders.
Typical Sidewalk and Walkway Costs
| Item | Published range |
|---|---|
| New concrete sidewalk, per sq ft | $7 to $17 |
| 4 ft wide sidewalk, per linear ft | $28 to $68 |
| 200 sq ft sidewalk, total | $1,400 to $3,400 |
| Old concrete removal, per sq ft | $3 to $8 |
| Stamped walk, per sq ft | $10 to $21 |
| Mudjacking a 100 sq ft sidewalk | $400 to $900 |
National ranges from HomeGuide's concrete sidewalk and concrete leveling cost guides. HomeGuide notes jobs under 200 sq ft cost more per foot because of delivery minimums. Wilmington-area prices can differ. Your written estimate is the price.
How It Works
1. Inspect
We look at the walk, the cause of the damage, roots, drainage and whether it is in the public sidewalk.
2. Remove and prepare
Old concrete is cut out, the base is compacted and forms are set to slope and width.
3. Pour and finish
Air-entrained concrete is placed, broom finished, edged and jointed.
4. Cure and reopen
We barricade the walk while it cures and tell you when it is ready for foot traffic.
Sidewalks & Walkways Questions
How much does it cost to replace a sidewalk?
HomeGuide's national range for new concrete sidewalk is about $7 to $17 per square foot, or $28 to $68 per linear foot for a 4 foot wide walk. Removal of the old concrete adds about $3 to $8 per square foot. Small jobs cost more per foot.
Who is responsible for the sidewalk in front of my house?
It depends on the city or county. Property owners are often responsible for keeping the sidewalk in repair. We check the rules for your address before any work in the public sidewalk.
Can you fix a sidewalk lifted by tree roots?
Yes. We remove the lifted section and look at what can be done at the slab edge. Cutting roots of a city street tree may need approval, so we check before we cut.
Can a sunken walk be raised instead of replaced?
If the slab is intact and has only settled, leveling with mudjacking or foam can raise it. If it is broken, scaled or root-heaved, replacement lasts longer.
How soon can we walk on a new sidewalk?
Usually within a day, with care. Keep bikes, carts and heavy loads off for about a week.
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Get a Sidewalks & Walkways Estimate
Free sidewalk and walkway estimates in Wilmington and nearby towns.