Sidewalk and walkway assessment: repair or replace?
The most common cause of uneven sidewalks in Bay Area neighborhoods is tree root movement — roots lift individual panels over time, creating trip hazards at panel joints. The repair decision depends on: how much of the walkway is affected, whether the root or settlement issue can be addressed, and what the long-term plan is.
Grinding vs. replacement for trip hazards
Concrete grinding can level a lifted panel edge where the height differential is small — typically less than 1.5 inches. It is faster and lower cost than replacement but does not address the underlying movement issue. See our full guide: Uneven Walkways: Repair, Grind, or Replace?