Sidewalk Repair in Manhattan Valley, Manhattan

Why Do Sidewalks in Manhattan Valley Heave and Crack?

Manhattan Valley has good tree cover on its side streets and along the park, and roots are the main reason flags heave. Add old tenement frontages, avenue foot traffic and winter salt, and the walk takes a lot of punishment. A lifted edge is the usual first sign.

The blocks between Central Park West and Broadway are shaded by mature street trees. As roots thicken, they push up the concrete above them. A flag that was level ten years ago can now sit an inch or more above its neighbor.

Brownstone row houses and tenements along the side streets have areaways and stoops that meet the sidewalk. The slab at the stoop foot, the grating over an areaway and the walk in front are three separate pieces that settle at different speeds.

Amsterdam Avenue and Columbus Avenue carry shoppers, strollers and delivery carts. Storefront walks there crack at the thresholds and curb lines first.

Can You Fix a Sidewalk Without Cutting a Street Tree Root?

Often, yes. The trees along the curb belong to NYC Parks, and cutting roots needs their approval. We repair where we can without touching major roots, by reshaping the slab around them or lowering the subgrade slightly. Where roots must go, the city decides.

For eligible one to three family homes, the city's Trees and Sidewalks program may help with sidewalk damage caused by street trees. Many row houses in Manhattan Valley may qualify, so check before you pay for a repair.

If you cannot wait for the program, we can still make the walk safe. We set panels at a gentle slope so the transition from one flag to the next is smooth and not a trip edge.

Who must repair the walk in front of a Manhattan Valley building?

The property owner. Owners are usually liable for injuries too, but owner occupied homes of one to three families are an exception on liability. Confirm current rules with the city. For a violation, see our page on sidewalk violations.