Concrete Contractor in Greater Boston — Driveways, Slabs & Walkways

OVERVIEW

Concrete in New England fails when the sub-base is wrong, the mix is inadequate for freeze-thaw exposure, or control joints are missing. Schlickmann's concrete work starts with proper grading and compacted gravel sub-base, uses 4000 PSI air-entrained mix for exterior applications, and places control joints at appropriate spacing. The result lasts 30+ years instead of cracking in five.

The most common concrete failure we see in Greater Boston is a driveway poured directly over uncompacted native soil or inadequate gravel — a 2-inch base instead of a proper 4–6 inch compacted crushed stone base. When the sub-base settles or heaves during freeze-thaw, the concrete cracks regardless of how good the pour was. Schlickmann excavates to proper depth, installs compacted crushed stone sub-base, and grades for positive drainage away from the foundation.

Air-entrained concrete is mandatory for exterior flatwork in Massachusetts. Air entrainment creates microscopic bubbles in the mix that give water room to expand during freezing — preventing the surface scaling and spalling that destroys improperly specified exterior concrete in 3–5 New England winters. We specify 4000 PSI air-entrained mix for all exterior applications.