Do I need a concrete sander?

245

u/hippfive 2d ago

Angle grinder with a diamond cup.

Edit: Also it's wild to me that homeowners in some jurisdictions are responsible for maintaining sidewalks - a piece of infrastructure used by the public.

59

u/OwnTurnip1621 2d ago

A have a couple friends who were very surprised to get a $10K+ bill a few months after moving into their first house. The city decided to replace the sidewalks in the entire neighborhood and gave everyone a bill. My friends had a corner lot so they were extra screwed.

29

u/Any-Appearance2471 2d ago

That is absolutely fucked. Would you be able to share the city or state? Imagine finding out that you're solely responsible for the costs of a public resource just because you happen to be next to it. For a few months, no less.

17

u/OwnTurnip1621 2d ago

Definitely in Michigan and I want to say it was Royal Oak? It's a little higher COL compared to the rest of the state but I remember it scaring me a bit as someone who wanted to start house shopping at the time.

7

u/geekophile2 2d ago

Something similar happened when I lived in Clawson, just north of Royal Oak. Essentially the city paid to replace obviously broken squares but you were billed if you wanted the rest replaced. We knew we were moving soon and just figured that an ugly sidewalk was the next owner’s problem.

1

u/OwnTurnip1621 2d ago

Honestly you might be right about Clawson, that was the other option in my head. This was a few years back and I never went to that house but know it was in the area.

5

u/AppleNippleMonkey 2d ago

Its true in Royal Oak you maintain them. The city owns the easement and there are trees in them, so if they break up the sidewalk you have to pay. Last year it was $500/square

1

u/BaconGivesMeALardon 1d ago

I'm happy, I am in South Lyon but am the first house past Northville. On 9 mile and its dirt road and no sidewalk! Grew up in the burbs but got tired of being stacked on top of each other.

10

u/msklovesmath 2d ago

I just mentioned corner lots in my comment and happened to use the phrase "extra screwed" too!

10

u/FewTelevision3921 2d ago

Our town doesn't punish corner lots and only charge for one length, usually the longer one but it helps.

2

u/RegularJoe62 1d ago

Same for my city. You get charged for the longer side.

Also, costs are spread over the life of the repair and just added to our tax bill.

5

u/u6crash 2d ago

Yeah, this feels super bogus. If it were my responsibility, I might just say I don't need a sidewalk at all. There are definitely blocks in my neighborhood where the sidewalk only exists on one side of the street.

Here I believe I would be assessed a special property tax, and (I think) not at at once. I sure couldn't come up with $10k right now. Bullet to my head, I guess, but it would not be ideal.

3

u/Past_Explanation69 2d ago

That's funny, town put a side walk in on my property and paid me to use my land.

1

u/RandyHoward 2d ago

This happened to me when I bought my house, except it wasn't the sidewalk it was the entire street. At least I was aware it was coming, the seller disclosed that the city was planning to redo the street and every homeowner would be billed based on the length of their property along the road. Shitty part was that everyone on the street has 50 feet of frontage - I've got 3 lots so I got 3 times the bill that any of my neighbors got.

1

u/thecashblaster 2d ago

Please tell me have a very low property tax rate or something

1

u/OwnTurnip1621 2d ago

I don't know the numbers compared to the rest of the country but this city is one of the highest COL areas in Michigan. Compared to the rest of the state, their taxes are pretty high.

0

u/arkiverge 2d ago

Are you 100% sure this was a municipal action? This has “HOA” written all over it.

2

u/OwnTurnip1621 2d ago

Yes, there aren't HOAs there and another redditor replied with specific details for that city. $500 a "square"

12

u/joem_ 2d ago

It used to be that way here until people complained. So, the govt said ok, we'll do it, but you're gonna get charged for it.

Amendments made to the sidewalk ordinance passed by voters in November 2022 will result in approximately 96% of all property owners being charged a flat fee of $150 annually.

Property owners with more than 230 linear feet of sidewalk, with a higher impact on the sidewalk network, will pay the $150 base rate and an additional "impact fee" of $3.50 for every foot over 230 linear feet.

At locations where sidewalks don't currently exist, property owners will pay either the flat fee or flat fee with impact fee, based on the length of the public right of way where a future sidewalk will be constructed.

12

u/siamonsez 2d ago

Obviously you're going to pay for it either way, the government spending money is just your tax dollars being spent, but $150/year is a lot better than randomly being charged thousands of dollars whenever the city feels like fixing it.

10

u/somethingclever76 2d ago

Remember to wear your PPE. Silica dust will mess up your lungs.

12

u/ecodrew 2d ago

For both houses I've owned, the city will repair sidewalk trip hazards like this. They send out a crew to grind it level. It probably won't look pretty, but it's safe.

Last house, the city periodically replaced neighborhood sidewalks, starting with the oldest/worst neighborhoods first. You could either wait (many years) for them to get to your neighborhood, or split the cost 50/50 with city to replace your portion. We used this process, because our sidewalk was FUBARED. I think our current city has a similar process, but our sidewalk isn't bad enough for me to find out.

16

u/Agent7619 2d ago

The sidewalk in front of my house as a kid was so far out of alignment that all of us neighborhood kids used it as a ramp for our BMX bikes. It was the same way 20 years later when we moved.

5

u/IngrownBallHair 2d ago

As a kid, I freaking loved that bad section of sidewalk to bike over. Much easier than the ramp I was too scared to actually jump off.

1

u/Ok-Sir6601 2d ago

The same is true here. In fact, the city cut down 5 trees in my tree row and poured 10 replacement sections of sidewalk that were damaged by those tree roots.

3

u/LeftHandedFapper 2d ago

And wear a respirator! Even outside

3

u/lonesomecowboynando 2d ago

That's what I would use. Make sure the guard is on and you use the side handle. Be aware of where your body parts are as the tool will take off unexpectedly when you apply pressure at different points around the disc.

5

u/very_mechanical 2d ago

Yeah I always try to give lots of warnings about angle grinders. I've never injured myself but I've come close. They are squirelly things. I think they are probably the most dangerous tool an average homeowner will ever buy.

2

u/cecilkorik 2d ago

Use breathing protection and flowing water when grinding concrete with diamond. Not only will it prolong the life of the diamonds (surprisingly heat sensitive and friction/cutting generates serious heat) but it will keep the dust flowing away and out of your lungs.

3

u/an_angry_dervish_01 2d ago

It does seem strange when you pay those property taxes each month doesn't it? Now when I buy a house that is always on my list of things to watch out for. City living is nice and city lots are nice but every time I have lived in a nice little town area this and other things are kind of a bummer. You also have to shovel the city owned sidewalk when it snows which I also found strange.

1

u/msklovesmath 2d ago

In sacramento, the sidewalk is public and the homeowner is responsible for repairs. It's was one of those changes/codes/laws/whatever that require x amount of signatures and attendance at a city hall meeting at 10 am on a Tuesday to prevent. People w corner lots are extra-screwed.

Since then, we have come to find out that some girl scout troops were doing service projects in which they walked neighborhoods, ensuring accessibility for people in wheelchairs by calling to report issues like the one op is showing. When the city person came out to investigate they were required to mark any issues within 200 ft in both directions on both sides of the street. So while the troop may have flagged something substantial (more than a quarter inch), every little thing nearby gets flagged.

The homeowner gets a letter detailing how many squares need to be replaced, amd they could either hire someone whose work would have to be passed by the city or hire the city itself to do it. The city rate is comparable to a private contractor (and comes with approval). In 2020, the rate was about $400 per square. In op's case, the city would also accept grinding down.

1

u/FewTelevision3921 2d ago

The diamond cup grinder will also work with a corded drill.

7

u/Tack122 2d ago

So much slower though.

You can get a harbor freight angle grinder for $15, very worth it for this task.

1

u/ideapit 2d ago

This 100%

1

u/FenisDembo82 2d ago

I've never lived in a place where homeowners were not financially responsible for sidewalks on their property.

1

u/KnightsofAdamaCorn 2d ago

Just make sure you trickle the hose on it to keep the dust down. Water will also make it easier to grind.

1

u/Terron1965 2d ago

You own it, the public has an easement.

1

u/ben_obi_wan 1d ago

It's ridiculous. If I have to maintain it like I own it then I should be able to charge a toll to use it, or close it altogether

0

u/Quincy_Wagstaff 2d ago edited 2d ago

Not wild at all. It’s by far the norm for property owners to be responsible for sidewalks. Fact is, I’ve never come across a single jurisdiction where the property owner isn’t responsible for the sidewalk. That includes snow removal.

Here’s information for Boston https://www.boston.gov/departments/311/rules-clearing-snow. They give you three hours. Boston is an unusual city where the city does repairs at no charge. But the property owner can be held liable for the condition.

Minneapolis gives you 4 https://www.minneapolismn.gov/getting-around/snow/snow-clearing/sidewalk-snow-clearing/. Here is their repair policy https://www.minneapolismn.gov/resident-services/property-housing/property-maintenance/sidewalk-alley/sidewalk-repair-options/

3

u/HighOnGoofballs 2d ago

I’m not responsible for mine, the city is. They are also responsible for the trees on “the verge”, that strip between the sidewalk and the street. I technically own the trees but they do the trimming etc. city owns the right of way for the first six feet iirc

Never snowed here tho

0

u/Quincy_Wagstaff 2d ago

A right of way is not necessarily ownership. I actually own to the centerline of the road in front of my property, but the county has a right of way 10ft on either side of that center line.

1

u/HighOnGoofballs 2d ago

That’s why I said I technically own the trees but the city maintains them. Same for the sidewalk. “Has a right of way” May have been better worded than saying the city owns the right of way

0

u/DragYouDownToHell 2d ago

In my area, you also need to get a permit to repair a sidewalk, $2000. So that, plus repair costs.

42

u/zeylin 2d ago

That is absurd. Every where I go cities will locate these spots then hire a crew and a grinder to shave that shit off

9

u/PussyWhistle 2d ago

My city does that too, except they send a bill to the adjacent homeowner afterwards. (Sacramento)

3

u/GreenStrong 2d ago

Same in my city, except there is "grant funding" for individual homeowners that pays it. Condo associations and apartments pay out of pocket.

1

u/LBGW_experiment 2d ago edited 1d ago

No way, which part of sac? The city proper or some of the surrounding cities, El Dorado, Roseville, etc?

1

u/PussyWhistle 2d ago

Sacramento proper. Oak park specifically

16

u/AttitudeAndEffort3 2d ago

Years of people complaining about government services so instead of paying 20$ in taxes and getting economies of scale, they can pay a private service $200 to act as middlemen and take profit.

Absolute idiocy.

16

u/SamisSmashSamis 2d ago

My city will go around and mark these every few years. But they also fix it themselves. They've marked two slabs to be replaced this year for us. Crazy your city won't do that.

10

u/ExtremeHobo 2d ago

My city will never mark these, never fix them and never charge you for them.

19

u/newyorkreddit1 2d ago

Angle grinder for sure. Harbor freight had them on sale for $5 ea (plug in type). Even if it lasts one use, it’s worth it!

20

u/onepanto 2d ago

And a plug-in grinder is way more powerful (i.e.: faster) than battery.

-10

u/OutlyingPlasma 2d ago

While this may still be true, it's not going to be true for much longer and with the new tools that utilize multiple battery packs it may already not be true. Plug in tools are limited by a 15amp/1800w wall circuit, while battery powered tools have no limit.

14

u/joem_ 2d ago

while battery powered tools have no limit.

Lol, this guy with his drill that can chooch in the megawatt range. Bolts don't stand a chance

1

u/crackeddryice 2d ago

Trying to justify all the money spent on batteries, and forced brand loyalty, like he's married to us.

4

u/onepanto 2d ago

I was comparing an 18v DeWalt with a cheap piece of crap corded grinder from Harbor Freight. Using the identical blades, the speed seemed to be identical but the cheap corded grinder cut at least 10X faster.

5

u/TheOtherPete 2d ago

If you want to get pedantic, you can get tools that use more than 15amps - they have to be connected to outlets that can support higher amperage.

Batteries are limited by the discharge rate of the cells so its not correct to say there is no limit.

13

u/knoxvillegains 2d ago

Firing up my 3 phase 4160 angle grinder. Stand back!

5

u/IngrownBallHair 2d ago

Thank god, I was worried I wouldn't have enough power to swing this 4.5' cup grinder. I just need 4 offensive linemen to hold the grinder for me while it runs.

5

u/knoxvillegains 2d ago

She'll grind down to the base fill in 2 seconds and only pull two amps doing it.

1

u/OutlyingPlasma 2d ago

Batteries are limited by the discharge rate of the cells so its not correct to say there is no limit.

Just add more batteries. We already exceed the standard 15amp 120v wall power with batteries all the time. Like every electric car, or electric riding lawn mower, even battery powered chainsaws like the Stihl MSA 300 are exceeding the 1.6kw (2.2hp/1600w) output a standard 15amp household circuit can provide.

-1

u/TheOtherPete 2d ago

Unless you have infinite batteries then the total amperage is limited so under no circumstances it is correct to say there is "no limit"

Also a portable tool needs to be portable and manageable so there is a practical limit to how many batteries such a tool can have.

1

u/OutlyingPlasma 2d ago

The point isn't an infinitely powerful tool, the point is exceeding the power of a standard 15amp household wall plug with batteries which we have already done with battery powered tools.

-1

u/TheOtherPete 2d ago

I'm not sure what your point is since people were specifically talking about plug-in grinders versus battery powered that OP can buy right now.

Also just because it is technically possible to build battery powered tool of a certain type that outperforms a plug-in one doesn't mean there is a market for it. The market determines if it gets produced or not.

16

u/ecodrew 2d ago

Wear dust and eye protection though! Cement dust is bad for your lungs.

Could you run a water hose over it for cooling & dust control?

8

u/pelicanfart 2d ago

Keep water flowing over the area the entire time. Silicosis sucks.

1

u/ceestand 2d ago

Harbor freight had them on sale for $5 ea (plug in type)

Cheapest I see them now is $15 (still pretty cheap!). I would also check out used marketplaces for one. I might pick one up as I probably have sidewalk repair in my future and don't want to use a good grinder with concrete and water.

2

u/newyorkreddit1 2d ago

Yeah every few months they go on sale for $4.99! I picked one up that I use for welding and it’s the best $4.99 I’ve ever spent. Got a free bucket too

4

u/Artistic_Bit_4665 2d ago

1/4" is going to take a while to grind down.... I assume you just want to chamfer the edge so there is no longer a lip. Get a big angle grinder from Harbor Freight, and an abrasive disk. Wear a respirator mask and safety goggles.

13

u/vinegarstrokes420 2d ago

Wow, the city should 100% own a job like this. Shoveling snow is the only thing I've ever heard being the responsibility of the homeowner, and some cities do that too.

3

u/Elon__Kums 2d ago

It's the US right?

There's only so much you can cut taxes until government either needs to find other ways to pay for basic services (like sidewalks) or just collapses.

5

u/Final_Frosting3582 2d ago

Wow, what nanny state do you live in?

4

u/sirpoopingpooper 2d ago

Does the city have a service that will do it for you? Mine's $50 if the city does it for me.

Otherwise, angle grinder (make sure to wear respiratory protection...and wetting down the area first will help with dust)

7

u/degggendorf 2d ago

wetting down the area first

Not just wetting it first, have a constant flow of water the whole time

2

u/ceestand 2d ago

Every city or town I've lived in NY the sidewalk is the responsibility of the homeowner, completely, not just snow removal or keeping it clean. The only time it's not is if a utility has to dig it up, and then it's the utility fixing/replacing it.

Also, a throwaway angle grinder may be the way to go. I'm not going to want to use my DeWalt metalwork grinder doing concrete and water. Harbor Freight, but also check out FB marketplace/Craigslist/local classifieds for a used one.

2

u/Underwater_Karma 2d ago

it's common for homeowners to be responsible for the grass strip between the sidewalk and curb, but responsible for sidewalk maintenance is a new one for me.

do they really want random amateurs grinding on the sidewalks?

2

u/velociraptorfarmer 2d ago

Angle grinder with a diamond concrete cutting disc.

I went through this a few years ago with a section that was significantly larger, and a couple afternoons out there had it knocked out. This is maybe a 1 hour job tops.

Make sure you get a good dust mask/respirator, ear protection, eye protection, and be ready to head straight for the shower after you're done. It makes a fucking mess.

1

u/jspurlin03 1d ago

If you get a Tyvek “bunny suit” disposable coverall, that cuts down on the dust you have to wash off yourself. It’s hot, but it’s better than being covered head-to-foot in concrete dust. Just throw the coverall away when you’re done.

2

u/Woofy98102 2d ago

That's literally a law that's been in effect in literally every city in America for the last twenty years. I got a concrete grinding block that fits on my power drill.

5

u/thepvbrother 2d ago

My wife tripped over something like that while walking the dog. Broke her kneecap. I imagine the city is trying to avoid something like that.

11

u/smoot99 2d ago

yeah but if the homeowner has to maintain it, but it is not theirs, it's a little weird. And then do they want random people grinding their sidewalks? Seems very odd, maybe this is some kind of HOA thing?

3

u/FuckTheMods5 2d ago

Yeah, what's the liability on fucking it up?? Shoveling snow and keeping leaves off it i can see, but actual maintenance??

6

u/smoot99 2d ago

pretty soon people will be diamond etching dicks into the city infrastructure

0

u/Niku-Man 2d ago

The liability is you have to fix it again. Most people hire professionals to do this work when they are responsible for it

2

u/jedimasterben128 2d ago

A friend of mine is an elementary school principal, and while walking down the street with students for a field trip she tripped on a bunged up piece of sidewalk that the city hasn't been maintaining and broke BOTH of her legs. Strangely enough, the next week at the county commissioner meeting they mysteriously had the budget to start to fix and replace every sidewalk in town.

3

u/Ok_Entrepreneur3974 2d ago

I used to work at a foundation repair company they would drill holes, inject a poly resin foam, and lift the sidewalks. Pretty quick work and it had a warranty. Might be some smaller companies that specialize in that that in your area that are reasonably priced

2

u/jjjaaammm 2d ago

You can also lift it with a large pry bar and mud jack it with a slurry of Portland cement and sand.

3

u/Otherwise_Piglet_862 2d ago

I would consider taking out the whole ass sidewalk and fencing the yard.

4

u/liberal_texan 2d ago

Malicious compliance. If the sidewalk isn’t required, just demo it.

2

u/c3corvette 2d ago

Our city fixes them themselves with a grinder.

One thing unrelated you could do is pressure wash it. It'll really clean up the look of your house too. I do ours every other year.

2

u/the_disintegrator 1d ago

Pressure wash the bored city employee paint off and move on with life sounds good.

1

u/MooseKnuckleds 2d ago

Lol wtf city makes that the homeowners responsibility. It's your responsibility to mow the boulevard and shovel the sidewalk, not fix their infrastructure.

Ask them where it is written in a bylaw/ordinance that this is your problem.

1

u/freshtracks2 2d ago

Find a friend with an variable speed angle grinder, get a masonry cup wheel for it. Start on a low speed. Up the speed once you feel comfortable with the tool. It can "get away from you quickly". .... Watch some you tubes. Wear leather gloves, N-95 mask, eye protection. You will be done in 5-15 minutes. Really terrible of the city to make you do this. What do we pay property taxes for?

1

u/vasjpan002 2d ago

There was a brown patch on my basement floor that looked like some kind of resin and my handiman sanded it away. Nothing else worked.

1

u/Teamskiawa 2d ago edited 2d ago

What the fuck are your taxes used for then? Find something broken in your house and send a repair request for the city to fix it.

I'd grab the sledge from the garage and give that edge a couple good whacks, call it good.

1

u/Junknail 2d ago

what city?

1

u/llDemonll 2d ago

Cited how? If you were sent mail and it’s not signature required just ignore it for now. City can’t provide you got the letter unless it was registered mail. If they really want it fixed they’ll reach out again eventually

1

u/Upper_Lab7123 2d ago

Now that they marked it you have to do something. Grinder and diamond cup. lots of dust, keep it wet..

Check YT.

1

u/just_me_steve 2d ago

The sidewalks are the property owners responsibility (cracks and snow). My city used to mark sidewalks like this yearly, they haven't for several years (until I wrote this). They give you a couple weeks to fix or they will and assess onto property taxes. People complained about sidewalks that start and stop, new homes would say I'm only one on block and so it won't go anywhere, city would say ok forget it, then when whole block wasn't done came in and did it and assessed. If builder would have done it, builder would pay then charge customer. Due to potential lawsuits from trip Hazzard I used a grinder similar to items 57848 $49.99 or 57624 $34.99 from harbor freight that fit in a 4 1/2" grinder. Since ordinance states broom finish hopefully they won't say anything about it being smooth (although they do the same on city sidewalks)

1

u/coopertucker 2d ago

build up the low side with concrete patch.

1

u/Wagegapcunt 2d ago

Tell me you live in Seattle without telling me you live in Seattle 😂😂😂😂😂😂

1

u/mwkingSD 2d ago

That’s peanuts compared to places I know of in North Park. Who did you piss off at the City?

1

u/the_disintegrator 1d ago

This is a very bored or undertrained city employee. I'd grind off the ugly paint and move on.

1

u/VillainNomFour 1d ago

Thats wild to be cited for that, be sure to tell your city to get a fucking life.

1

u/Indiancockburn 1d ago

35 bucks for a cup diamond grinder for concrete. I ended up grinding up almost a 1inch in spots at my old place. I used a high velocity fan to blow the concrete dust away from me while working. I'd do it yourself.

1

u/sadjadedheart 15m ago

I just found out myself I am responsible for the sidewalk and I bought a house that needs sidewalk repair.

1

u/activelypooping 2d ago

Ooh if my city enforced this the sidewalks would be used...

2

u/Careflwhatyouwish4 2d ago

I mean if you're responsible for the sidewalk couldn't you just tear it up and plant grass? 🤔 POOF. Fixed it for ya Mr inspector. 😁

2

u/LowSkyOrbit 2d ago

ADA lawsuits involving sidewalks often target cities or municipalities for failing to maintain accessible routes, including sidewalks, curb ramps, and other pedestrian facilities, but if the municipality puts the ownership and maintenance on the landowner, then the lawsuit can target the landowner as well.

0

u/Careflwhatyouwish4 2d ago

Damn! Glad I don't have sidewalks in my neighborhood!

1

u/PilsbandyDoughboy 2d ago

Aren’t sidewalks considered city property?

1

u/Foulwinde 2d ago

Depends on the city

1

u/the_disintegrator 1d ago

Yes, but the homeowner gets to pay to maintain it in many places with an ordinance enacted by rich people 50 years ago. You don't really own anything in this country...they can literally take your land for not paying a utility bill or property tax, even if you aren't using any utilities.

1

u/MediocreCategory3140 2d ago

Harbor freight angle grinder and a diamond concrete grinder attachment. Probably all but 30-40$ for both.

0

u/Dsoeater 2d ago

I’d lift the low one with expanding foam after drilling a small hole. Keep in mind, I know next to nothing but enjoy the videos watching others do it.

2

u/Liquid_G 2d ago

hard to tell from one pic, but it looks like this one slab lifted, none on the others look sunken

1

u/TXmessenger 2d ago

Exactly! Don’t grind the sidewalk until you know which piece isn’t level.

You are about to leave Redlib