19. Flatwork

When your exterior masonry work is complete you are ready for your 'Flat work' to be installed. Most flat work is poured concrete with a minimum psi of 2500. The exterior borders are usually 2x4 material with the expansion joints being 1x4 redwood. Up against concrete that is already in place like garages, entry porches and foundation steps you want to use black joint. Your concrete should be a minimum of 31/2 inches thick. There should be at least 1/2 inch of cushion sand under the concrete. When you set your exterior form you want to check for straightness and you want to look at your drainage situation. Concrete can act as a dam if proper planning does not take place. Your builder should be looking at his drainage plan along with the slope of the land so that when he is cutting out your flat work he make sure that water will not run into your home or garage. He should also tilt your concrete so as to allow water to easily flow into the planned drainage for the lot and not to stand o your concrete. You do not want standing water or blocked drainage. Your builder should of looked at his drainage situation prior to or during your prestart meeting. Concrete expands and contracts, so expansion joints and control joints are required to control where it will happen. Most municipalities require an inspection for city sidewalks and for your driveway approach. If you can, try to walk your flat work prior to it being poured. In most cases this is not necessary, but if you have extensive flat work, taking a look prior to concrete placement makes sense. Once all of the forms are racked, (stripped and removed) you we be able to really visualize the finished exterior.