Grind, Lift, or Replace? Choosing the Right Sidewalk Repair

Most sidewalk problems can be solved three ways: grind down a trip hazard, lift a settled slab back to level, or rip out and re-pour. Each one has a use case. Picking the right approach saves you 50-70% versus over-fixing—or saves you a redo when an undersized repair fails. Here's how we choose.

Option 1: Grinding (cheapest)

Grinding is for vertical mismatches. A slab edge has lifted from frost, roots, or settling, and the seam is now a trip hazard. We use a dust-controlled concrete grinder to bevel the lifted edge down to ADA-compliant slope. Cost: $149 per slab in Seattle in 2026. Time: 30-60 minutes per slab. Walkable immediately.

Choose grinding when: the slab itself is intact (no body cracks), the lift is under 2 inches, and you just need the hazard gone.

Option 2: Polyjacking / Mudjacking (mid-tier)

Lifting is for slabs that have settled below their original elevation—usually from sub-base washout near a downspout or surface drain. We drill quarter-sized holes through the slab, pump expanding polyurethane foam underneath, and the slab rises back to grade. Cost: about $9 per square foot. Time: 1-3 hours per slab. Walk on in 30 minutes, drive on in a few hours.

Choose lifting when: the slab is structurally sound but has sunk, the surrounding sub-base just needs filling, and you want to avoid tear-out cost and time.

Option 3: Replacement (most permanent)

Replacement is necessary when the slab itself has failed—cracks running through the body, severe surface spalling, or rocking panels indicating sub-base loss too severe for foam. Cost: $14-22 per square foot. Time: 1 day demo, 1 day pour, 24-48 hours to walk on (28 days for full cure).

Choose replacement when: the slab has body cracks, severe surface failure, or has been ground/lifted before and continues to fail. Learn more.

Quick Decision Chart

1. Trip hazard only, slab is intact → grind.
2. Slab has settled but is whole → lift.
3. Slab is cracked through, broken, or rocking → replace.
4. SDOT cited multiple slabs with mixed problems → mixed approach—we quote each one separately.

What About Decorative or Stamped Concrete?

Stamped, stained, or exposed-aggregate sidewalks add complexity. Grinding removes the decorative finish, so it's usually not recommended for finished concrete. Lifting works fine. Replacement requires pattern-matching the stamp tools and color-matching the stain—we keep a library of both. See our Stamped Concrete Repair service.

Get a Side-by-Side Quote

When you call us, we'll quote all three options for each problem slab so you can pick. Most homeowners save money compared to one-size-fits-all replacement. Call (206) 555-0182 or request an estimate.