In the field of concrete construction, Flat Work includes driveways, streets, parking lots, walkways, malls, slabs and access ramps. Everyone knows that concrete cracks, a lot of it settles, some flakes, holds puddles and some just plain looks ugly! So how can we at Charger consistently do attractive, long enduring quality work? By knowing what to do, when to do it and then doing it right the first time.

Base and Placement Preparation

The finished job will last no longer than what is under it. The ground under concrete must be free of anything that will decay and cause settling. If roots or other debris are buried under it, failure of the concrete is inevitable. Base soil should be clean, leveled and compacted for best results.

Forms, can’t just be set by eye. Using a laser to set the elevations and slopes of forms and grade pegs is the start. But concrete must be placed and troweled to those preset forms and pegs or puddling is inevitable. Also, if the base is not free of organic material and compacted properly the cracking and settling can become disastrous. Elevations must be set to accommodate drainage. In addition to the inclusion of fiber reinforcement, control joints and expansion joints must be planned to keep cracking to a minimum.

Pictured below are a variety of types of flat work we were proud to perform.