To prepare your property for a concrete installation, clear the work area and the path to it, move vehicles and outdoor items out of the way, and make sure underground utilities and hidden features such as sprinkler lines are located before any digging starts. Your contractor handles the technical site work, but a few simple steps on your end can help the project go more smoothly.
Many homeowners aren’t sure what is their job and what is the crew’s job. Asking your contractor ahead of time is the clearest way to know. Here is what often comes up.
Clear the Way for Equipment and Materials
Concrete projects usually need room for trucks, wheelbarrows, tools and forms. Before the work starts, it helps to:
- move cars out of the driveway if it will be used for access,
- take patio furniture, grills, planters and toys out of the area,
- open or remove gates if the crew needs a path to the backyard, and
- let neighbors know if trucks may park near shared areas.
Ask your contractor how the concrete will reach the site. On some properties, a truck can pull right up. On others, concrete may need to be moved a longer distance, which can affect the plan.
Know What Is Underground
Digging or grading can hit buried lines. North Carolina has a no-cost 811 call-before-you-dig service that arranges for public utility lines to be marked. Talk with your contractor about who will make that request for your project.
Some lines aren’t marked by that service, such as private sprinkler pipes, outdoor lighting wires, septic parts or lines to a detached shed. If you know where these are, share that information. Old plans or notes from past projects can help too.
Think About Pets, Kids and Daily Routines
A work zone isn’t a safe place for children or pets, and fresh concrete is easy to mark with paws and footprints. Plan to keep them indoors or in another part of the yard during the work and while the concrete is new.
It also helps to think about how you’ll get in and out of the house. If the new concrete is at your main entry, you may need to use another door for a while. Your contractor can explain when the surface is ready for foot traffic and, later, for heavier use, since that timing depends on the concrete, weather and project.
Plan for Water and Weather
Turn off sprinklers that could spray the work area. Point downspouts away if they drain onto the spot. In Burlington, summer storms can pop up quickly, so ask how the crew handles a sudden change in weather.
If the schedule shifts because of rain or temperature, that is usually a good sign that your contractor is protecting the quality of the work.
Our concrete installation services include walking you through what to expect before the project begins. If you’re planning new concrete in Burlington, reach out and we’ll help you get ready.
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