Is an Uneven Driveway or Sidewalk Dangerous?

An uneven, damaged, or sinking driveway or concrete sidewalk can be dangerous in a number of different ways. Sometimes, however, a damaged driveway or sidewalk is dangerous because of what it represents, rather than what it might cause. 

Personal Injury and Vehicle Damage 

An uneven, sinking, or damaged driveway or sidewalk can represent a real risk to your health and well-being. Uneven or unstable surfaces pose a real risk of tripping and falling for anyone who uses them. Of course, those who are most at risk of both falling and a serious injury as a result of a fall are the elderly, the very young, and those who have physical disabilities or mobility issues. 

Another possible issue that can be caused by an uneven driveway is damage to your vehicle. This is more likely if you leave your vehicle on the driveway for long periods of time or if the joining point between your driveway and the street has a harsh seam. The constant jarring of driving over this seam, or the pressure of sitting at a strange angle for long periods of time, can damage the suspension of a car and cause uneven wear on the tires. 

A Warning 

Your driveway and exterior sidewalks are subject to many of the same issues and pressures as your property’s foundation. As such, these more exposed areas can act as a representative of what may be happening with your foundation at any given time. If you notice that the soil under your driveway seems to be having problems in bearing the weight of the driveway and vehicles, for example, this is a warning sign. 

If the soil under your driveway or sidewalk is struggling to support it, there is a very strong chance that the soil under your home is going to have problems supporting the full weight of the structure. As such, it would be wise to investigate your whole home when you see signs of structural damage in your driveway or exterior sidewalks. You could save yourself a lot of trouble in the long run by doing this.