Concrete Flatwork in Sacramento, CA

Concrete work happens in a set order for a reason. The area gets excavated and graded, forms go in to define the edges, then a compacted base layer goes down before any concrete is poured. Reinforcement, whether rebar or wire mesh, goes in next depending on the load the slab needs to carry, then the concrete is poured and finished, either broomed for grip or troweled smooth, and left to cure before it sees any weight.

Most cracked or sunken concrete traces back to what happened before the pour, not the concrete itself. A base that wasn't compacted properly settles unevenly under the slab, and the slab follows it down. Expansion joints are cut or formed into the concrete on purpose so cracking happens in controlled lines instead of randomly across the surface, and skipping them means cracks show up wherever the concrete decides to give, usually right across the middle of a walkway or patio. Sacramento's clay soil expands and contracts enough through the seasons that a poorly prepped base will move, and the concrete on top of it moves with it.

Ask about base depth and compaction, whether reinforcement is included, and where joints are placed. Ask about curing time too, since concrete poured in extreme summer heat needs extra attention to cure properly without surface cracking.