My sidewalk is only six years old, but is beginning to break apart
probably due to the Winter snow. Rocks are starting in surface over
the 25 foot area, and small chips of cement are being chipped away.
Can I resurfaced (not re-cement) the sidewalk using some type of
sealant? I don't want to try to recement (including using Portland
cement). I tried that once and it didn't work.

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Request for Question Clarification by cynthia-ga on 04 Mar 2006 18:34 PST

Are you sure you mean "sidewalk?"

The reason I'm asking is that the definition of sidewalk is ..."a
paved walkway along the side of a street..."
http://www.answers.com/topic/sidewalk?method=6

In Seattle, sidewalks are city property, beyond that is the "parking
strip" which is the landowners property and responsibility to
maintain.

I'd check with the city, but if you are talking about a paved path to
your home from the street, you can do as you wish.

Could you clarify your question? To help with a repair, a picture
would be great, you can upload to http://www.photobucket.com/

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Request for Question Clarification by cynthia-ga on 05 Mar 2006 21:02 PST

Thanks for pointing that put Nelson, but just the same the city has
requirements as to what materials can be used and the dimentions.

I put [ sidewalk repair ] into Google, and this is the first result:

Sidewalk Repair Program 
http://www.ci.longview.wa.us/publicworks/SidewalkRepairProgram.htm
..."Before undertaking any repairs on abutting sidewalks, property
owners should contact the Engineering Division. The owners will need
to purchase a permit to work in the Public Right of Way.

Sidewalk Construction Requirements:

? Slope shall be 1/4" per foot to the top of the curb. 
? All sidewalks shall be 4" minimum depth except where crossing driveways. 
? Concrete shall be class 5 (5 sack mix). 
? V grooves on 4ft sidewalks shall be placed on 4 foot intervals, V
grooves on 5ft sidewalks shall be placed on 5 foot intervals, V
grooves shall be not less that 1/4" thick.
? Expansion joints 
? All expansion joints shall be asphalt impregnated conforming to
AASHTO specification "M-220". Insulation board and wood are not
acceptable.
? Dummy joints shall be 1/4" X 2" and shall be placed on 64 foot
intervals on 4ft walks and 15 foot intervals on 5 ft walks.
? Through joints shall be 3/8 X 4" and shall be placed on 64 foot
intervals on 4 ft sidewalks and 60 foot intervals on 5- foot
sidewalks. Through joints shall also be placed when joining to
existing sidewalks and at any change in thickness such as 6" driveway
sidewalk transitions.
? As a general rule residential sidewalks shall be placed 2ft from the
property line and commercial sidewalks shall be placed on the property
line.
? Edging shall be 2" wide smooth borders with 1/4" edge radius either
following existing pattern or as shown. (Also used on all joints)
? Finish shall be broomed transverse to the run of the sidewalk. ..."

Anyway, brockbankdm, you can simply add your city's name to that
search string to get your answer.

Cynthia, in many (most?) places the sidewalk is the responsibility of
the owner of the property that the sidewalk abutts.

Resurfacing of concrete of in any form, sidewalk - slab ? et al, 
requires that the existing concrete must be sound. Meaning, proper
thickness, proper expansion / control joints proper drainage and
standing water, especially in a freeze/thaw climate. If sound then
your concrete failure is probably due to poor finishing and can easily
be resurfaced. IF NOT THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM NEED BE ADDRESSED.

Products for resurfacing that i have had excellent results with, that
are readily available diy'ers are from the QUIKRETEŽ Line of Products.

http://www.quikrete.com/catalog/catalog_repair.html

best of luck
jlinky, www.jlbuilt.com