APRA Webinar Series - 1.5 CE Credit

Concrete flatwork is one of the most common components in a reserve study, and one of the easiest to over-fund. When sidewalks start lifting from tree roots, soil movement, heat, or freeze/thaw cycles, the default assumption is often full removal and replacement. In this session, Precision Concrete Cutting walks through a different approach. Trip hazards up to 2" can be removed by precision saw cutting, which shaves the raised edge into an ADA-compliant 1:12 slope without tearing out the panel. Attendees will see how saw cutting compares to patching, grinding, slab pumping, and replacement in cost, durability, ADA compliance, and disruption to residents. They'll also learn why repairing hazards can extend the useful life of existing concrete instead of replacing it.

The presentation then follows a project from start to finish, from the initial consultation and hazard-by-hazard inspection to itemized, mapped reporting, bid delivery, repair, and final quality inspection. Reserve analysts will find the planning tools especially relevant. These include detailed hazard inventories that make condition data more defensible, multi-year phased repair options that fit a community's funding plan, and support for planning future maintenance cycles. Whether you advise HOAs, condominium associations, or other community associations, this session offers a practical way to reduce liability, improve accessibility, and keep sidewalk reserve projections in line with what the concrete actually needs.

Attendees will learn:

1. Identify the common causes of sidewalk trip hazards (tree roots, soil movement, heat expansion, and freeze/thaw cycles) and how each affects the condition and remaining useful life of concrete flatwork.
2. Explain the ADA requirements for changes in level and the 1:12 maximum slope standard, and how they define when a sidewalk hazard must be addressed.
3. Compare the five main repair methods (patching, grinding, slab pumping, replacement, and precision saw cutting) by cost, durability, ADA compliance, and disruption to residents.
4. Evaluate when trip hazard repair can extend the useful life of existing concrete instead of requiring full replacement, and how that affects reserve study funding projections.
5. Describe how detailed hazard inventories, itemized reporting, and multi-year phased repair plans can support more defensible condition assessments and funding recommendations.

Samantha Perkowski & Xarissa Merkley
Sidewalk Safety Consultants, Precision Concrete Cutting

Samantha Perkowski and Xarissa Merkley are Sidewalk Safety Consultants with Precision Concrete Cutting, each bringing more than six years of experience helping Arizona communities identify and remove sidewalk trip hazards. Together, they cover the state. Samantha serves Northern Arizona, the West Valley, Scottsdale, and Mesa, and Xarissa serves Southern Arizona, Tucson, and the East Valley. They work closely with HOA boards, property managers and community associations, from the first walkthrough to the final inspection, providing detailed hazard assessments and phased repair plans that fit each community's budget. Their shared focus is helping communities reduce liability, improve ADA accessibility, and extend the life of their existing concrete.