Need contractor recommendation for sidewalk

Hey everyone,

I've got some tree roots pushing up my sidewalk and need to have it taken care of. Can anyone recommend a local contractor who is both reasonably priced and responsible? 

On the same topic, the sidewalk is in good shape otherwise, so I think we could just lift off the current concrete, have the town take care of the tree, and put it back down. Has anyone had a similar experience and would it work?

Thanks!

If it is a town tree, the town should fix the sidewalk.  Call.

Thanks Steve! I did call them, and they said they were responsible for the tree and we were for the sidewalk. Does that sound right to you? It didn't to me.

Did you explain that the tree roots were the cause of the sidewalk problem?  Send them a picture.  As I understand it, if the municipal tree causes the problem, the municipality is responsible for the repair.

That makes sense to me ... let me follow up with them and see what they say about it. Thanks!

Good luck.

Bingo.

Steve said:

Did you explain that the tree roots were the cause of the sidewalk problem?  Send them a picture.  As I understand it, if the municipal tree causes the problem, the municipality is responsible for the repair.

LivingLarge said:

Bingo.

Steve said:

Did you explain that the tree roots were the cause of the sidewalk problem?  Send them a picture.  As I understand it, if the municipal tree causes the problem, the municipality is responsible for the repair.

If this was the case they would have to fix sidewalks on just about every block in town...

If it's the town's tree is the homeowner even allowed to cut the roots? I ask this under the assumption that the homeowner is not allowed to cut the town's tree.

no, its as the op described..... you demolish the sidewalk, the town comes out and cuts the roots and then you replace the sidewalk....and then the tree dies in the next couple of years and falls down so you have to fix the sidewalk again

the18thletter said:

If it's the town's tree is the homeowner even allowed to cut the roots? I ask this under the assumption that the homeowner is not allowed to cut the town's tree.

terminator3 said:

no, its as the op described..... you demolish the sidewalk, the town comes out and cuts the roots and then you replace the sidewalk....and then the tree dies in the next couple of years and falls down so you have to fix the sidewalk again

the18thletter said:

If it's the town's tree is the homeowner even allowed to cut the roots? I ask this under the assumption that the homeowner is not allowed to cut the town's tree.

That's the step I was wondering about. Not ideal for quickly dealing with the problem...

I did anticipate that, as both trees don't look healthy, so Public Works will come out to assess them, but in the meanwhile I'll be researching some ordinances.

terminator3 said:

LivingLarge said:

Bingo.

Steve said:

Did you explain that the tree roots were the cause of the sidewalk problem?  Send them a picture.  As I understand it, if the municipal tree causes the problem, the municipality is responsible for the repair.

If this was the case they would have to fix sidewalks on just about every block in town...

They don't do it quickly but they get around to it.

From my research, South Orange has a provision that the town pays for the sidewalk, but Maplewood does not. Back to the original question, can anyone refer a good contractor?

Really shouldn't need a provision for it as you should argue that the town property caused the damage.  I'd fight it unless you intend to replace the entire sidewalk.

In 15 years I've been here, I haven't heard of a single instance where Maplewood township paid for sidewalk repair/replacement work necessitated by town trees. 

LivingLarge said:

terminator3 said:

LivingLarge said:

Bingo.

Steve said:

Did you explain that the tree roots were the cause of the sidewalk problem?  Send them a picture.  As I understand it, if the municipal tree causes the problem, the municipality is responsible for the repair.

If this was the case they would have to fix sidewalks on just about every block in town...

They don't do it quickly but they get around to it.

sorry never seen it done in Maplewood ..... the only time they did it was when during Sandy the tree fell over ripped up sidewalk....and this was only done because of federal money was available...so your best bet is to wait til a natural disaster to knock down the tree, have the area qualify for FEMA funds and then they will pay to do it.  If the town had to pay for all the sidewalk repairs, our taxes would really skyrocket.

As for contractors, any masonry guy or paver can do it... Mike Giordano, Avellino, Carmines, Bravo, Johnny,....  you will have to replace the square, no way of lifting and dropping the square unless you want it in pieces.

Apparently yet another reason why SO > M.

uhh.. better water....  thus M > SO

LivingLarge said:

Apparently yet another reason why SO > M.

terminator3 said:

uhh.. better water....  thus M > SO

LivingLarge said:

Apparently yet another reason why SO > M.

Cheaper pool SO > M

Who drinks NJ tap water anyway?

So back to the question--contractors we like?  Is it worth it to have aggregate added to the concrete?  The sidewalks that have stones mixed in to the concrete around me seem to have worn better over time.

Thx!

if there is no stone it is not concrete....just grout or Portland cement

Concrete = portland,sand and gravel. Mortar= portland and sand. Run from anyone willing to place a sidewalk for you using mortar. Wrong material for that application.

I highly recommend Carmine's. Matt the owner is the nicest contractor I've worked with.

If the concrete squares are in good shape, you may not have to demolish and replace.  Sometimes the contractor can just pick up the squares to allow the roots to be trimmed and then put them back down. We did this recently at my church.  I can check to see who the contractor was.

LivingLarge said:

terminator3 said:

uhh.. better water....  thus M > SO

LivingLarge said:

Apparently yet another reason why SO > M.

Cheaper pool SO > M

Who drinks NJ tap water anyway?

Municipal handling of all things horticultural M>SO. 

terminator3 said:




As for contractors, any masonry guy or paver can do it... Mike Giordano, Avellino, Carmines, Bravo, Johnny,....  you will have to replace the square, no way of lifting and dropping the square unless you want it in pieces.

Within last 10 or so years, I saw the following at SE corner of Wyoming and Lenox (SO):    Concrete sidewalk square on Wyoming had 2+ inch step-up. Site of more than a few falls.  Work truck (from Kearny?) pulls up. Well-appointed woman arrives in second vehicle. She supervises. This is not a Fellini movie.   With crowbar,  Cirque du Soleil strongman type guy lifts 3 of 4 edges of entire square well off ground. 2nd guy fiddles underneath with rake or shovel, while woman gives directions.  Square is lowered and shifted. Perfect, level fit. No rocking. Square intact. They get back in vehicles and drive away.

dickf3 said:

terminator3 said:




As for contractors, any masonry guy or paver can do it... Mike Giordano, Avellino, Carmines, Bravo, Johnny,....  you will have to replace the square, no way of lifting and dropping the square unless you want it in pieces.

Within last 10 or so years, I saw the following at SE corner of Wyoming and Lenox (SO):    Concrete sidewalk square on Wyoming had 2+ inch step-up. Site of more than a few falls.  Work truck (from Kearny?) pulls up. Well-appointed woman arrives in second vehicle. She supervises. This is not a Fellini movie.   With crowbar,  Cirque du Soleil strongman type guy lifts 3 of 4 edges of entire square well off ground. 2nd guy fiddles underneath with rake or shovel, while woman gives directions.  Square is lowered and shifted. Perfect, level fit. No rocking. Square intact. They get back in vehicles and drive away.

Did you notice the name of the company by any chance?  I have looked high and low for a company that is willing to lift slab and reset after root trimming and haven't found any.  All want to demolish and pour new slab.  

That said, we had some concrete work done by Andre from Four Seasons Landscaping and were very happy with his work.  908 875 5745