Project Case Study
Commercial Concrete Walkway — Family Dentistry, River Ridge, LA
Complete walkway replacement for a commercial dental office on Jefferson Highway — from demo of the root-uplifted sidewalk to a laser-leveled, broom-finished concrete entry with clean expansion joints.
Project Details
- Location: River Ridge, Jefferson Parish, LA
- Client: Family Dentistry (Dr. Kellene M. Cole, DDS)
- Scope: Commercial concrete flatwork — walkway replacement
- Finish: Broom-finish with formed expansion joints
- Process: Demo, laser prep, form/pour, finish, cure
Project Background
The existing concrete walkway at the Family Dentistry office on Jefferson Highway in Jefferson Parish had failed. Tree roots had lifted and cracked sections of the slab, creating a trip hazard for patients and an ADA-compliance issue for the practice. The front entrance is the first thing patients see, so the office wanted a clean, professional walk-up that tied into the surrounding landscaping.
Cajun Home Services scoped this as a full commercial concrete flatwork replacement. That meant removing the old slab, grading the sub-base, setting forms to the correct slope, and pouring a new broom-finished concrete walkway with formed expansion joints and a curved entry section leading to the front door.
We worked around the practice schedule to limit disruption to patient access. The demo happened first, the pour and finish followed within the same week, and the walkway was cured and ready for foot traffic before the next business day.
Why a Full Replacement Instead of a Patch?
Patching concrete over active root damage is a short-term fix. The lifted sections would continue to move, and new cracks would follow. Because the walkway serves a commercial medical practice with daily patient traffic, a durable, long-term solution was the right investment.
The new walkway was designed with a consistent slope for drainage, control joints spaced to limit cracking, and a broom finish that provides slip resistance for patients in wet weather. The curved entry section was formed to match the existing planting bed and front approach, giving the property a finished, intentional look.
- Full demo of root-damaged concrete — no short-term patches
- Laser-leveled prep and forming for consistent slope and grade
- Broom-finish surface for professional appearance and slip resistance
- Formed expansion joints to control future cracking
- Curved entry section tied into existing landscaping
- Scheduled around dental office hours to minimize patient disruption
Build Sequence
Remove the Failed Walkway
- Broke out and hauled away the root-uplifted concrete sections
- Cleared sub-base debris and exposed root intrusion points
- Protected adjacent landscaping and the building facade during removal
Laser-Level Forms and Grade
- Set grade with a rotary laser to maintain consistent slope toward drainage
- Installed wooden forms for the straight runs and curved entry section
- Compacted the sub-base and added appropriate aggregate before the pour
Concrete Placement and Broom Finish
- Placed concrete in manageable sections to maintain control over the finish
- Screeded and floated the surface to a uniform plane
- Applied a broom finish for slip resistance and a clean commercial look
- Cut formed expansion joints at the correct spacing for crack control
Cleanup and Final Walkthrough
- Stripped forms once the concrete had set sufficiently
- Cleaned the work area and removed all construction debris
- Final walkthrough with the practice manager confirmed the walkway was ready for patient traffic
Materials & Specifications
Concrete
Commercial-grade ready-mix
Appropriate PSI for pedestrian and light service traffic
Finish
Broom finish
Slip-resistant surface, clean commercial appearance
Control
Formed expansion joints
Spaced to control cracking from thermal movement
Prep
Rotary laser level
Consistent slope and grade for positive drainage
Project Result
The Family Dentistry office now has a clean, safe, professional front walkway that matches the quality of the practice. The curved entry leads patients directly from the parking area to the front door, the broom finish provides reliable traction, and the formed expansion joints will keep the slab looking uniform for years.
For commercial property owners in Jefferson Parish and across the New Orleans area, this is the standard Cajun Home Services applies to every concrete flatwork job — medical office, retail center, or residential driveway. The right prep, the right pour, and the right finish details make the difference between concrete that lasts and concrete that becomes a liability.
Lessons for Commercial Property Owners
Trip hazards are a liability issue, especially for businesses with daily foot traffic. When concrete shows root uplift, wide cracks, or uneven joints, replacement is usually the more cost-effective long-term solution than repeated patches. Working with a licensed contractor also means the site stays accessible to customers and the work is completed on a schedule that respects your business hours.
Need concrete flatwork for a commercial property in River Ridge, Metairie, or Kenner? Call Cajun Home Services for a site visit and estimate.
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From demo of the failed walkway to the finished broom-finish entry at Family Dentistry, River Ridge, LA.
Finished — street view of the new ADA ramp
Finished — aerial with handrails
Finished — ramp detail
Final — clean expansion joints, Cajun yard sign up
Curved entry walkway tied into landscaping
Fresh broom-finish pour
Fresh pour — aerial
Site prep — rotary laser level
Prep — forming for grade and elevation
Demo — rebar breakup of the failed slab
Demo — old walkway broken out and cleared
Before — root-uplifted sidewalk
Before — failing entrance
Need Commercial Concrete Work?
Cajun Home Services handles commercial concrete flatwork, walkways, and slab work across Jefferson Parish and the New Orleans area. Call now for a free site visit and estimate.