Every winter tells the same story. Freeze–thaw cycles, snowplows, de-icing salts, and shifting soil quietly take a toll on concrete surfaces. When spring arrives, the damage becomes impossible to ignore.
Common forms of winter concrete damage include:
● Cracked sidewalks and driveways
● Spalled or flaking concrete
● Trip hazards caused by frost heave or settling
● Coating failures from salt exposure
● Edge deterioration from snowplows and snowblowers
For contractors who know how to identify and repair these issues, that damage represents a reliable, predictable, and repeatable service opportunity.
Why Concrete Repair Makes Sense for Landscaping Pros
Landscaping professionals are already trusted partners for property owners. You manage turf, plantings, patios, walkways, and hardscapes—often acting as a one-stop solution for exterior property care. Uneven concrete naturally fits into that scope.
Cracked, lifted, or buckled sidewalks pose safety risks for pedestrians and can expose property owners to personal injury and premises liability claims if left unaddressed.
Identifying and repairing these hazards is a practical way to add value, improve safety, and expand services offered by your landscaping business.
Accessibility & Trip Hazards in Canada
In Canada, accessibility standards under the Accessible Canada Act require outdoor paths of travel—such as sidewalks and walkways—to be firm, stable, slip-resistant, and free of obstacles or abrupt changes in level.
A trip hazard occurs when two walking surfaces differ in height enough to disrupt safe movement—often due to frost heave, tree roots, settling soil, or aging concrete.
Although there is no single numeric definition of a “trip hazard,” uneven concrete caused by frost heave, tree roots, settling, or cracking can interfere with safe pedestrian access and may be considered an accessibility barrier.
The EDCO Crete-Planer: A Versatile Tool for Landscape Contractors
Using an EDCO Crete-Planer, you can repair winter damaged concrete — without full concrete replacement. Crete-Planer (also known as a concrete scarifier) is a powerful walk-behind machine designed for concrete surface preparation and repair.
Ideal applications include:
● Sidewalk trip hazard repair
● Concrete coating and paint removal
● Floor and surface preparation
● Traffic line and marking removal
● Creating textured, non-slip surfaces
● Leveling uneven concrete
How the Repair Works
Use the EDCO Crete-Plane to grind down the higher side of the hazard until it is level with the adjacent slab. Adjust the cutting depth and make multiple passes until the desired levelness is achieved. The finished surface is textured and slip-resistant. Surrounding turf, beds, and hardscape remain intact.
Pro tips:
● Always use a vacuum! Proper dust collection protects workers and the public from harmful airborne concrete dust
● A typical 4-ft sidewalk section can be repaired in 15–20 minutes
● Contractors can potentially complete 15–20 repairs per day
● Grinding costs far less than slab removal, which can exceed $10,000
Where to Offer Trip Hazard Repair
● Residential driveways, patios, walkways, and garden paths
● Commercial properties such as office parks and retail centres
● Recreational spaces including parks, trails, and golf courses
● Institutions like schools, churches, daycare facilities, and community centres
Getting Started with Trip Hazard Repairs
● Rent or invest in EDCO Crete-Plane and EDCO Vacuum System
● Train your crew on planer operation, safety, and dust control
● Market the service to existing clients as a safety and accessibility upgrade
● Bundle it with walkway installs, hardscape projects, or seasonal maintenance
The Bottom Line
The EDCO Crete-Planer provides the opportunity to save your clients time and money, improve safety and accessibility, and add a dependable, profitable service to your landscaping business—all with a single piece of equipment. Offering landscape, hardscape, and concrete safety services makes you a true one-stop solution.