Services · Concrete
Concrete in Philadelphia, PA
Steps, walkways and slabs poured and graded to move roof and gutter water away from the house instead of into it.
Steps, walkways and slabs are usually the last stop for water that came off the roof and through the gutters, so the concrete around a house needs to be graded to move that water away from the foundation, not toward it. A slab poured flat or sloped the wrong way just relocates the drainage problem from the roof to the ground.
The work starts with excavation and a gravel base deep enough to handle Philadelphia's freeze and thaw cycles, since a shallow or skipped base is the main reason concrete heaves and cracks over a winter or two. Reinforcement, either rebar or wire mesh depending on the pour, goes in before the concrete, and control joints get cut in at set intervals so the slab cracks where it is supposed to instead of wherever it wants to.
We use air-entrained concrete for anything exposed to winter weather, which resists the freeze and thaw damage that plain concrete does not handle well. Finish is usually broomed for grip on steps and walkways, though stamped or exposed aggregate finishes are an option for a patio or a more visible slab.
How it goes
Concrete, step by step.
- 01
Excavate and grade
Dig out the old slab or area and set the grade so water runs away from the house.
- 02
Base preparation
Lay and compact a gravel base deep enough to handle winter freeze and thaw.
- 03
Forms and reinforcement
Set forms and place rebar or wire mesh before the pour.
- 04
Pour and finish
Pour the concrete and finish the surface, broomed, stamped or smooth depending on the area.
- 05
Joint cutting and curing
Cut control joints and let the concrete cure properly before it takes weight or traffic.
Photos
Concrete jobs.
All of them our own jobs. Tap a photo to see it full size.
FAQ
Concrete questions.
Why did my old walkway crack and heave?
Usually it comes down to what is underneath it rather than the concrete itself. A shallow or missing gravel base lets ground moisture freeze and push the slab up unevenly, and without control joints cut in at the right spots, the slab cracks wherever the pressure happens to be worst.
Does the grading really matter that much?
It is most of the job. Concrete that slopes toward the house instead of away from it sends roof and gutter water straight at the foundation, which is exactly what you are trying to avoid, so we set the grade before anything gets poured.
What is air-entrained concrete and do I need it?
It is concrete mixed with tiny air bubbles that give water room to expand when it freezes inside the slab, instead of cracking the concrete apart. Anything outdoors in this climate, steps, walkways, aprons, should be air-entrained, since plain concrete does not hold up the same way through a Philadelphia winter.
Will de-icing salt ruin new concrete?
Heavy salt use, especially in the first year while the concrete is still curing out, can cause surface flaking called spalling. Air-entrained concrete resists it better than plain concrete, but easing up on salt and using sand instead where you can will keep the surface looking better longer.
Free estimate
Get a free concrete estimate.
Tell us what is going on with the roof, the siding or the gutters. We come out, look at it, and give you the scope, the timeline and the price in writing before anything starts.
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