Wellington Public School Trip Hazard Repair

The Challenge

Settled concrete walkways created trip hazards at a school.

All schools experiencing settled concrete are at risk: students, staff, and guests could sustain injuries from trip hazards. The concrete walkways at Wellington Public School had sunken and settled, creating uneven surfaces and the risk of trip hazards. The settlement was likely driven by underlying soil erosion and heavy daily foot traffic, which gradually weakened the walkways. The school needed a solution that was minimally disruptive and would eliminate trip hazards. Because schools operate on tight schedules, it was also critical that the repair be completed quickly, without closing access for long periods of time.

Key Facts

The Solution

Polyurethane injection concrete leveling for trip hazard repair.

At the school, Groundworks worked quickly to reinstate safety and functionality to the concrete walkways. The team drilled holes directly into the concrete surfaces and then injected polyurethane through the slab into the soils below. The polyurethane moved quickly in its liquid form into the soil where it expanded. The expansion of polyurethane gently lifted the concrete back to grade under the careful observation of Groundworks technicians.

The Impact

Trip hazards were mitigated in less than a day!

The walkways were raised and leveled, mitigating trip hazards in less than a day! Because polyurethane cures quickly, the full use of the walkways was restored immediately after injections were complete. This solution did not disrupt school operations, nor did it negatively impact students or staff. This project is a testament to abilities for polyurethane to solve many problems, including those in public spaces, without fear of disruption. The durability of polyurethane provides confidence that the walkways will remain stable for years to come, reducing the likelihood of future maintenance costs. For school administrators, the outcome offered peace of mind: students, staff, and parents can focus on learning rather than safety concerns, and the district can move forward knowing safety risks have been significantly reduced.