How The Sidewalk Guy Installs Your New Concrete Sidewalk

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At The Sidewalk Guy, we don’t just replace concrete — we build sidewalks designed to last. Here’s how we ensure every project meets or exceeds the City and County of Broomfield specifications and CDOT standards for strength, safety, and durability.

 

Safe and Efficient Removal

Our Removal Process Includes:

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• Saw-Cutting: We saw-cut around the panels to create clean separation lines, protecting adjacent concrete.

• Controlled Demolition: Panels are removed in sections to minimize impact on surrounding areas.

• Subgrade Protection: Great care is taken to preserve the subgrade beneath, reducing additional work and keeping your project cost-effective.

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♻️ Concrete Recycling

We don’t just remove your old sidewalk — we give it a new life.

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All demolished concrete is transported to a certified recycling facility where it’s crushed and repurposed as Class 6 aggregate for future road and sidewalk construction projects.

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Subgrade Preparation

Proper preparation ensures the sidewalk stays level and crack-free for years to come:

• Root and Organic Material Removal:
  We carefully remove tree roots, vegetation, and organic material to prevent future decay and voids beneath the concrete.
   

• Subgrade Compaction:
  We compact the native soil to reduce settling and shifting over time.
   

• Recycled Roadbase Installation:
  We install and compact a layer of recycled concrete roadbase (Class 6 aggregate) for enhanced stability — an environmentally friendly and durable solution.
   

 

Forms and Reinforcement

We believe in exceeding the minimum — here’s how:

• Thicker Concrete:
  While the Broomfield standard sidewalk thickness is 4 inches, we pour 6 inches of concrete for extra strength and longevity.
   

• Rebar Tie-Ins:
  We install #4 rebar doweled into adjacent existing panels to prevent shifting at joints.
   

• Wire Mesh Reinforcement:
  We place 6x6 W2.9/W2.9 welded wire mesh within the slab to minimize cracking and add tensile strength.
   

 

Concrete Mix

• High-Strength Concrete:
  We use a 4,500 PSI concrete mix as required by Broomfield, designed per CDOT specifications to ensure superior strength, freeze-thaw resistance, and durability. When approved, we include fiber additives to increase strength, reduce cracking, and increase durability.
   

• Approved Batch Plants:
  All concrete is sourced from City of Broomfield–approved batch plants for strict quality control.
   

 

Concrete Placement and Pouring

• Careful Placement:
  We monitor and control the pour, ensuring full consolidation to eliminate air pockets and voids.
   

• Vibration:
  Vibration tools are used as needed to achieve proper compaction around rebar and mesh.
   

 

Finishing

• Professional Finish:
  We finish the surface with a broom texture — creating a slip-resistant, safe surface for pedestrians.
   

• Control Joints:
  Control joints are tooled or saw-cut at precise intervals to manage cracking as the concrete naturally shrinks.
   

 

Curing

The secret to a long-lasting, strong sidewalk:

• Wet Curing:
  After finishing, we wet cure the sidewalk for a minimum of 24 hours, keeping the surface damp to maximize early strength gain.
   

• Moisture Retention Sealer:
  Once initial curing is complete, we apply a curing sealer to retain moisture and allow the concrete to continue curing over the next 28 days, reaching its full design strength.
   

 

Why It Matters

✅ Built Stronger Than Code: 6-inch thick concrete, 4,500 PSI mix
✅ Reinforced Against Cracking and Shifting
✅ Professional Wet Curing for Maximum Strength
✅ Durable, Safe, and ADA-Compliant