Concrete looks simple: forms, a truck, and a smooth finish. But the driveways, patios, and sidewalks that last for decades in New Jersey all share the same hidden work underneath.
It starts with the base. Old concrete and soft soil come out, and a layer of crushed stone goes in and gets compacted. Skip that and the slab settles unevenly, then cracks.
Next is drainage. Every slab needs a slight slope so water runs off instead of pooling, freezing, and breaking up the surface. Driveways and walkways should always pitch away from the house.
Reinforcement and control joints come next. Concrete will crack as it shrinks and moves with the seasons, and control joints tell it where to crack, in straight lines instead of across the middle of your driveway.
Finally, the finish and the cure. A broom finish gives traction on walkways and driveways. Giving the slab time to cure, and keeping deicing salt off it for its first winter, helps it last. We'll walk you through all of it at your free estimate.