Concrete flatwork and sidewalks

Flatwork is the everyday concrete around a building: sidewalks, entry landings, slabs, dumpster pads, equipment pads, steps and garage floors. It looks simple, but whether it stays flat and crack-controlled depends on work done before the truck arrives.

We start with the subgrade. Soft or organic soil gets removed, stone base is placed and compacted, and forms are set to the right grade so water runs away from the building. We place reinforcement where the slab needs it, and plan control joints so the concrete cracks where we want it to, in a straight line inside the joint, instead of randomly across the slab.

Finish is a choice. Broom finish is the standard for walks and exterior slabs because it gives traction when wet. Smooth trowel works for interior floors. Exposed aggregate and stamped finishes add texture and color for patios and entries. Our current site highlights crisp control joints and consistent broom patterns on commercial work, and that is still the standard.

For commercial properties we can tear out and replace sections of sidewalk that have heaved or become a trip hazard, pour new dumpster pads that stand up to truck loads, and coordinate with our paving crew when concrete and asphalt meet.

Frequently asked questions

How soon can we walk on new concrete?

Foot traffic is usually fine after a day or so and vehicles after about a week, depending on weather and the mix. We'll give you timing for your job.

Why does concrete crack?

All concrete shrinks as it cures. Control joints, good base preparation and proper curing make cracks happen neatly inside the joints instead of across the slab.