Our concrete flatwork installation process begins with solid preparation, as we prepare the site for pouring concrete.  The first step in this process is preparing the sub-base of the area where the concrete will be laid.  This sub-base preparation is a critical part of ensuring the longevity of concrete flatwork, since concrete will last longer when installed on well-drained soil that is solid and level.  In many instances this requires concrete removal and possible excavation, tree removal, etc., and placement of crushed material appropriate to the site conditions to form a solid base for the concrete.  With the site properly prepared for concrete installation, we then focus on any drainage requirements for the concrete installation site.  Next, we build forms around the edges of the area where the concrete will be laid, and even out any additional crushed gravel base material necessary.  During the final step in the preparatory phase, many of our concrete flatwork projects required steel reinforcement, which is added at this stage.   

With the site properly prepped, and forms and reinforcement in place, our crews are ready to start pouring concrete.  Once concrete has been poured, we begin the screeding process, to level the concrete using flat boards and other screeding tools to ensure your concrete is completely flat.  Since concrete sets quickly, we continue to smooth the concrete surface with various power tools and hand tools.  Finally, we apply a curing agent to the surface of the concrete that strengthens the concrete and improves its appearance. 

At this point, we remove the forms and clean up the site.  The final step is to wait: concrete needs at least 7 days to fully cure before it is used, and we strongly recommend our customers stay off of the concrete until this time has elapsed.  During the cure period, the concrete is much weaker than after it has cured, so it’s important to be patient!

The quality of every concrete job is extremely important to us at Salt Lake City Concrete Contractor Co.  It’s always best to do the job right the first time, and a great concrete slab will last a long time.

Fun Fact:  Many customers think that the words concrete and cement are interchangeable.  In fact, cement is just the binding agent (almost like a glue) used in concrete.  Concrete is mostly made up of aggregates such as sand, stone and gravel.  Aggregates, combined with cement and water, is what makes concrete.  So next time you think to search for a ‘cement contractor near me’, rephrase it to search for a ‘concrete contractor near me’.  This is much more likely to find you the type of craftsman you’re looking for.

Fun Fact: Not all concrete contractors do every kind of concrete work!  There are a range of specializations within the concrete profession.  We specialize in concrete flatwork, which refers to flat concrete surfaces.  Another area of concrete contractor specialization is concrete foundations, footings and walls, which as you can guess, refers to concrete formations that are vertical and foundational rather than flat.  Then there are a separate set of concrete contractors that focus on foundation repair or foundation stabilization and concrete leveling, which also includes work such as ‘slap jacking’.  This specialization focuses on remedying concrete formations that have settled in problematic ways, without having to entirely re-pour the concrete.  There are other areas of specialization such as concrete cutting, as well as concrete pumping.   So next time you consider just searching for a ‘concrete contractor near me’, try searching more specifically for what you need done, such as ‘concrete driveway installation’.