Sidewalks & Steps in Arlington Heights, IL

Sidewalks and steps take more abuse than almost any other concrete around a house. They carry every trip to the door, they get the most salt in winter, and they sit next to tree roots and downspouts. On older Arlington Heights homes, the front stoop is often the first piece of concrete to fail: it settles, tilts toward the foundation, or pulls away and leaves a gap that lets water in. Walks get lifted by roots from trees planted when the neighborhood was built and end up with trip edges at every joint. We replace front walks, side walks, stoops and poured steps.

Why old stoops move

A stoop is a heavy block of concrete sitting against the house. If it was poured on a shallow base, frost can lift it in winter and the soil can settle under it over the years. The Village of Arlington Heights now requires every stoop to sit on a 42-inch-deep trench footing or on piers 42 inches deep, at least 8 inches in diameter, spaced 4 feet apart. Any stoop with three or more risers must go on a 42-inch trench. The new stoop is also tied to the foundation with steel dowels. Those details are why a properly built stoop stays where it was poured.

Signs your walk or steps need replacing

• The stoop has tilted toward the house or pulled away from it
• A gap has opened between the stoop and the foundation wall
• Joints between walk sections have heaved, creating trip edges
• Steps have uneven riser heights or crumbling edges
• The surface is flaking from salt
• Water pools on the walk or runs toward the door

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How we build walks

Front and side walks go on at least 4 inches of compacted gravel, poured at least 4 inches thick, and pitched slightly so water runs off to the lawn. We tool or saw-cut control joints at even spacing so the walk cracks along them. Where a tree root is the cause of the old heave, we talk through options before pouring, since cutting large roots can harm the tree. A broom finish gives grip in wet and icy weather. If you want something dressier, we can stamp or color the walk to match a patio.

How we build steps

Poured steps are formed in place with even riser heights and tread depths, so nobody trips on an odd step. We excavate for the footings, set reinforcing, form the steps and landing, and pour in one piece where possible. Treads get a broom texture and edges get rounded so they chip less. If you want a railing, we can leave sleeves in the concrete for it. HomeGuide's cost guide puts poured steps at $200 to $500 per step.

Public sidewalks

The sidewalk between your driveway and the street is public right-of-way. In Arlington Heights, the Village requires public sidewalk sections not crossing a driveway to be at least 5 inches thick, and sections that cross a driveway to be at least 6 inches. Work there needs the right permits, and some neighboring towns run their own sidewalk replacement programs. We check what applies to your street before we quote.

Caring for walks and steps

Shovel early and often so snow does not pack into ice. Use as little salt as you can, especially the first winter, and avoid de-icers containing ammonium nitrate or ammonium sulfate. Keep downspouts from emptying onto the walk or stoop. A penetrating sealer every few years helps the surface resist salt.