Concrete Contractors in Downers Grove, IL

Downers Grove has housing from nearly every era, and concrete contractors working here need to handle all of it. Wikipedia says housing near the center of town dates from the mid-19th century, with later styles from each generation. The village has also had one of the highest teardown rates in the Chicago area, as larger new homes replace smaller older ones. So a block can have a 100-year-old house next to one finished last year.

Teardowns and runoff

Wikipedia notes that teardowns increase runoff onto neighboring yards and streets and links that to flooding. Bigger houses and bigger driveways mean more hard surface and less ground to soak up rain. That affects concrete in two ways:

If you are next to a new build, your yard may get more water than it used to. Patios and walks along that side can start holding water or settling. We look at where the water is coming from and set new concrete to move it away.

If you are building new, your driveway, walks and patio add hard surface. Careful grading, and in some cases a permeable border or a drain, keeps water on your property moving the right way.

Kit homes and old houses

The Downers Grove Museum has confirmed 68 Sears kit homes in the village, plus 11 Harris Brothers, 9 Wardway or Gordon-Van Tine and 1 Aladdin kit home. Homes like these, and the Victorian and early 20th century houses near downtown, often have narrow driveways, detached garages and front steps that are part of the house's character. We replace them with care: matching the scale of the house, keeping steps even and safe, and choosing a finish that fits.

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Weather to build for

Downers Grove records include a high of 105 degrees in July 2005 and a low of minus 26 in January 1985, with about 38 inches of precipitation a year and August the wettest month. That range is why we use air-entrained concrete for every exterior pour, cure it properly, and recommend sealing. It is also why base and drainage matter so much. Water under a slab that freezes will lift it.

Services for Downers Grove

• Concrete driveways: replacements for older homes and new drives for rebuilds
• Concrete patios: patios set to handle runoff from neighboring lots
• Stamped concrete: decorative patios and walks
• Sidewalks and steps: front steps and walks that suit older homes
• Garage and shed slabs: detached garage floors and shed pads
• Concrete repair and replacement: sinking or cracked sections and trip hazards

Planning around a new build

If you are building a new home on a teardown lot, concrete usually comes near the end. We can work with your builder on the driveway, walks and patio, or come in after the house is done. Either way, the grade around the new foundation needs time and compaction before flatwork goes in, or the slabs closest to the house may settle. We check backfill before we set forms.

Trees and old walks

Downers Grove has been named a Tree City USA 28 times, and mature parkway and yard trees are everywhere. Roots lift walks and crack driveways over time. When we replace lifted sections, we look at whether to adjust the path, add a root barrier, or simply rebuild the base, and we suggest talking with an arborist before cutting any large root.

Before you call

If you are near a teardown, note where water collects after a heavy rain. It helps us plan. We check whether the village requires a permit for your project. Call (630) 870-1210 to book a visit in Downers Grove.