Although we offer many options of concrete finishes, our experience has shown us only one way to properly install concrete:
- After removal of your existing surface, we install a gravel sub-base which is compacted to ensure no future settling will occur.
- Rebar is drilled into any existing structure at the bottom of the new concrete to create a ledge for the sidewalk to rest on. This allows the concrete to heave in the winter due to frost.
- 3/8″ rebar is then installed at 2′ on center to provide reinforcement to your new concrete to give the slab the integrity needed to last a lifetime.
- The rebar is pulled up into the middle of the new sidewalk during the pouring process.
- We then pour a 4-5″ thick, 4000 psi, low chert concrete which is struck off to the proper pitch, and bull floated to push down the aggregates to prevent “chert” pops.
- Our joints are then hand tooled to prevent a random crack from forming overnight.
Note: while we engineer the placement of potential breakpoints and take every precaution to eliminate random cracking, random cracks do occur which is why we reinforce every job with rebar. Once the concrete is finished and the forms have been removed we then seal every job immediately with a cure and seal sealer to help protect and build the strength of your concrete.