Santa Monica · Masonry Services
Concrete
Flatwork and structural concrete: driveways, patios, stairs, walls, sidewalk aprons, and repair.
Concrete · Santa Monica
Concrete Contractors in Santa Monica
Concrete is the backbone of most hardscape, and it is the part of a project where shortcuts stay hidden until the first crack appears. We pour concrete driveways, concrete patios, concrete stairs, and structural concrete walls, and we handle the city sidewalks and driveway aprons that sit in the public right of way and come with their own permit process. We also take on concrete repair, from slab jacking and crack routing to full tear-out and replacement when a slab has failed past patching. Stamped concrete is available across every flatwork application if you want the pattern of stone or brick at a lower installed cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does concrete last?
A slab poured on a properly compacted base, at the right thickness, with steel in the right place, should give you 25 to 50 years. Early failures usually trace to a thin section over soft ground or control joints that were never cut. Decorative finishes are a separate question: stamped and colored surfaces want resealing every two or three years to keep looking new.
What is better, stamped concrete or pavers?
They win on different things. Stamped concrete is cheaper to lay, about $12 to $18 a square foot against $15 to $30 for pavers, and gives you an unbroken surface. Pavers can be lifted and reset, so a stain, a settlement or a trench for a new line becomes a repair rather than a replacement. On a driveway we lean toward pavers. On a large plain patio the saving on concrete is real.
How long before you can walk on new concrete?
Foot traffic after 24 to 48 hours, depending on the mix and how warm the week is. Keep vehicles off for seven days. Full strength is 28 days, though you will not notice anything after the first week. We barrier the pour and give you the date you can park on it, because driving on a slab early is the most common way a new driveway gets cracked.
Why does new concrete crack?
Some hairline shrinkage is normal as concrete cures, which is why control joints exist. Structural cracking comes from a poor base, missing or badly placed steel, or joints cut too shallow or too late. All three are avoidable.
Plenty more of what we get asked, grouped by trade, sits on the masonry questions page.
Planning masonry work in Santa Monica?
Tell us about the project and we will come out for a free on-site estimate.
Or call us now: (310) 356-9429