Slip, trip and fall hazard -- how best to remedy? (55, support)

[fluffythewondercat]

I knew when we bought this place there were some wonky pavers around the back of the pool area and leading over to the koi pond. I didn't anticipate how much trouble I would have navigating them.








The tops of these rocks aren't even flat. And they're at varying heights. But the worst part is the crevices, some as deep as 2 inches. On several occasions I've found myself windmilling my arms furiously to keep from falling when the toe or heel of my shoe became wedged.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 defines a 'trip hazard' as any vertical change of over 1/4 inch or more at any joint or crack.

There's absolutely no possibility of using a wheelchair or walker back there. If I intend to age in place in THIS place, this has got to be remedied.

Lacking a crowbar, I haven't pried up any of these stones but I believe they're just set in packed dirt.

Ideas?

[aslowdodge]

Can’t your pour some fine gravel or sand in between to help level it all off?

[turkeydance]

pave over paradise.

[Vision67]

I would hire a landscaping firm to remove those rocks and pour a level concrete walkway.

That would me much cheaper and less painful than a broken hip due to a fall.

[matisse12]

I would place each foot very deliberately in the middle of each stone, while doing it carefully, avoiding the crevices.

I have the same problem on my very bumpy grass full of holes, crevices, indentations, ruggedness caused by chipmunks or gophers burrowing around -

lately I've carried my Swifter mop (with the stabilizing flat piece on the bottom, but without attaching a pad) which has a very long handle and it stabilizes my walk, provides great support, and allows me to traverse irregular surfaces (like the grass or your stones)......using the long pole as a very long cane and stabilizing pole, but holding onto the pole 14 or 16 inches from the top.

[rjm1cc]

Paving with concrete or blacktop would be my first guess but it would probably not look good.

Find a driveway or patio that has been done with pavers https://www.homedepot.com/b/Outdoors...s/N-5yc1vZbx4b

When properly installed a lot of work goes into the base so since you need a smooth surface I would hire a skilled installer.

Try using a walker and wheelchair on some. I think you will find they can navigate. You do have a million seems between the pavers. That's why I think you have to look at some finished products to see if they will work.

[brava4]

I worked at a hospital and walking from the garage to the main building was taking your life in your hands. It was a university setting so there were tons of bricks to walk on. Ha, how many of those bricks were missing, uneven etc... A lot!

All of the people i worked with who were 55 and older complained about it and took twice as long to get to work. And in the winter bricks get very slippery... ugh, it was awful.

All the new nurses and med. students just flew over them with speedy walking.

[NYgal1542]

I live in central NY where the snow flies and ice forms on the roads, cars, etc.

The parking lot where I park my car gets very icy/slippery and almost always does not get treated with salt. There is salt, but it's used on the sidewalks and in one or two of the handicapped parking areas.

Every winter I can count on slipping at least once walking to my car. And I worry since I had a knee replacement and I don't want to mess that up.

Telling people here who manage this place?? What do you get when you talk to your hand?

I bought a cane today, one with the 4-prong sprocket on the end. I also bought those things you put over your shoes/boots that grip the ice when walking on it.

Nothing is easy. We have to find ways to make things safer for ourselves.

[nobodysbusiness]

Sand would help, a lot.

[Clemencia53]

Change them out. Crushed granite maybe?

Re purpose the stones?