Common questions
Frequently asked
The questions we hear most often, answered plainly. If your question is not here, call us and we will answer it the same way.
Why did my concrete crack?
Concrete shrinks as it cures and will always crack somewhere. The question is whether the cracks were planned. Cracks that wander across the middle of a slab usually mean control joints were missing, cut too late, or cut too shallow. Cracks with one side sitting lower than the other usually mean the base under the slab was not compacted.
What are control joints and why do they matter?
They are the grooves cut into a slab shortly after it is placed. They create a deliberate weak line so the shrinkage crack forms down inside the joint where it is hidden. They have to be cut soon after the pour, at roughly a quarter of the slab thickness deep, and spaced correctly for the thickness. Skipping any of that is why so much residential concrete looks broken within a few years.
How thick should a concrete driveway be?
Four inches is standard for a residential driveway carrying cars and light trucks. Six inches is the right call where heavier vehicles park, like an RV, a work truck, or a trailer. Thickness is only part of it, since a thick slab over a poor base still fails.
Do you install pavers as well as poured concrete?
Yes. We install concrete pavers and natural stone for driveways, walkways, and patios. Pavers cost more up front, handle ground movement better because the joints flex, and let a damaged section be lifted and reset instead of saw cut and patched.
Do you build retaining walls?
Yes, in block, poured concrete, and segmental wall systems. Walls above a certain height need engineering and a permit, and we handle that. Every wall we build gets drainage behind it, because trapped water is what pushes a retaining wall over, not the soil itself.
Can you tear out and replace my old driveway?
Yes. We break out and haul away the existing concrete, correct and recompact the base underneath, and pour new. Replacing the surface without fixing the base just buys you the same cracks again on a slower schedule.
How long before I can drive on new concrete?
Foot traffic is usually fine after a day or two. Vehicles should stay off for about a week, and heavy vehicles longer. Concrete keeps gaining strength for weeks after it looks finished, so the wait is real rather than cautious.
Will you make sure water drains away from my house?
Yes. Every flatwork surface gets a slope, and that slope runs away from the foundation. Concrete poured flat or sloping back toward the house sends water against your foundation, which is a far more expensive problem than the concrete.
Can you match my existing concrete?
Closely, but rarely exactly. New concrete cures lighter and changes over the first year, and older concrete has weathered. Where an exact match matters we usually suggest replacing a full section to a natural joint line rather than patching, so the difference reads as intentional.
How much does concrete work cost?
Cost is driven by square footage, thickness, how much tear out and base work is needed, access for the truck, and any finish beyond a standard broom finish. Stamped and colored concrete costs more than plain. We price against a written scope for the actual area.
