Brick and concrete shape the durable parts of a project—foundations, flatwork, steps, and walls—by pairing solid prep with the right mix, reinforcement, joints, and curing. Details such as drainage, flashing, and finish texture are set so the work looks clean and holds up.

Overview

• Scope: excavation and prep, formwork and reinforcement, slabs and footings, driveways and walks, patios and steps, CMU retaining/block walls, brick veneer and lintels, tuckpointing/repointing, saw-cutting, repairs, sealing.
• Goals: stable subgrades, correct slopes and drainage, straight lines and true planes, clean joints, and durable finishes.
• Finishes: broom and trowel, exposed aggregate, stamp and color, integral or topical sealer as specified.

What This Service Includes

• Prep & layout: utility locates, excavation, compaction, base rock placement, and formwork set to elevations and slopes (often 1–2% away from structures).
• Reinforcement: rebar and wire mesh, dowels at construction joints, chairs and spacers for cover, and tie-in to existing work where required.
• Concrete placement: mix selection by strength/exposure (air-entrained where appropriate), placement, screed, bull float, edging, and finish per plan.
• Joints & control: layout of control and isolation joints; early-entry or wet-cut saw joints; expansion joints at fixed elements and transitions.
• Walls & steps: CMU/block and poured walls with footing steel, waterproofing on soil side, drains and weeps, and backfill with free-draining aggregate.
• Brick & veneer: brick ties to framing, cavity ventilation, through-wall flashing and weep holes, joint tooling, lintels over openings, and repointing with compatible mortar.
• Repairs: crack routing and sealing, spall repair and patching, overlays/resurfacing, and slab leveling where specified.
• Curing & sealing: wet cure or curing compounds, hot/cold weather adjustments, and sealers matched to traffic and UV exposure.

Concrete Flatwork & Slabs

• Subgrade compacted; base rock graded level; vapor retarder used under interior slabs where required.
• Rebar/mesh placed correctly; edges reinforced and isolated at posts, foundations, and drains.
• Finishes: light broom for traction, steel-trowel or machine finish where appropriate, exposed aggregate, stamped patterns with release, and color hardeners or integral color.
• Joints: spacing and depth set by slab thickness; early saw cuts reduce random cracking; edges and tooled joints kept straight.

Brick, Block & Retaining Walls

• Footings sized to loads and soil; vertical/horizontal steel placed per plan.
• Retaining walls waterproofed on soil side with drain board/fabric and perforated pipe to daylight or sump; backfill in lifts.
• Brick veneer detailed with through-wall flashing at shelf angles and openings; weeps at regular spacing; joints tooled for weather resistance.
• Repointing uses mortar compatible in strength and color; efflorescence treated before sealing.

Mix, Weather & Curing

• Mixes selected for PSI, exposure, and placement time; slump controlled for finish quality.
• Hot weather: shade, wind breaks, set-control admixtures, and early curing limit plastic shrinkage cracking.
• Cold weather: heated water/aggregates and blankets maintain cure; no freeze before initial set.
• Curing: wet cure, curing blankets/compounds; sealers applied after cure per manufacturer guidance.

Drainage, Waterproofing & Interfaces

• Flatwork pitched away from structures; thresholds and landings coordinated for step heights.
• Isolation joints at foundations, columns, and steps; compatible sealants installed and tooled cleanly.
• Retaining walls receive waterproofing, drainage mats, and weep paths; veneers flash and drain at openings and bases.

Sequencing & Coordination

• Forms and reinforcement inspected prior to pour; pours scheduled with weather windows.
• Saw cuts timed to mix and temperature; adjacent trades kept off until initial cure supports foot traffic.
• Siding, stucco, and landscaping coordinated at edges and grades; handrails and guards set after cure.

Quality Markers

• Straight forms and edges; even finish texture; consistent joint layout and depth.
• Slabs sit flat without birdbaths; steps uniform in rise/run; walls plumb and true.
• Veneer joints tight and evenly tooled; flashing and weeps visible where they should be.

Safety & Compliance

• Silica‑aware cutting and mixing; PPE used for handling cement and saws.
• Formwork braced; lifting and placement handled with equipment and spotters.
• Local codes, inspections, and manufacturer guidance followed for footing depth, reinforcement, and mixes.

Care & Maintenance

• Respect cure times before heavy loads; avoid de‑icing salts on new exterior concrete for the first winter.
• Clean with mild detergents; reseal decorative concrete on a schedule; keep joints and sealant in good repair.
• Manage drainage and vegetation near walls and edges to extend service life.