Flatwork is any concrete poured in a horizontal plane, including driveways, sidewalks, patios, garage floors, pool decks, and steps, as opposed to vertical work like walls and foundations.
In depth
Flatwork makes up most of the concrete around a home or commercial property, and it is the concrete most prone to settlement. Unlike foundations, flatwork typically sits on relatively shallow subbase, so it is the first thing to move when soil underneath erodes, consolidates, or heaves.
Flatwork problems are also the most visible and the most dangerous. An uneven sidewalk panel is a trip hazard and a liability issue, and a settled driveway funnels water toward the garage or foundation.
How Acme applies it. Flatwork is our specialty. We raise, level, and stabilize residential, commercial, and municipal flatwork of every kind, and because we only do concrete raising, our crews see and solve these problems every day.
Related terms: Sunken Concrete, Concrete Leveling, Trip Hazard, Subbase
Frequently asked questions
Is all flatwork a candidate for raising?
Most is. Slabs that are severely shattered or deteriorated may be better replaced, and we will tell you honestly which category yours is in.
Why does flatwork sink more often than foundations?
Foundations bear on deeper, engineered soil. Flatwork sits on shallow subbase that is far more exposed to washout, freeze-thaw, and consolidation.