Why Drainage Comes First
Most concrete failures we see in Abilene trace back to water: water sitting on the surface, water saturating the base, or water moving soil under the slab. Abilene's expansive clay soils swell when wet and shrink when dry, so poorly managed runoff means seasonal movement under the concrete. Soil behavior by parcel is documented in USDA NRCS Web Soil Survey data.
Slope: Enough, but Not Too Much
Flatwork needs positive fall away from structures. Roughly 1/4 inch per foot is a common target for driveways, patios and walkways — enough to shed water without feeling steep underfoot. On flat lots we set elevations carefully so the slab drains to the street or a swale rather than toward the garage or foundation.
Where the Water Goes Next
Sending water off the slab is only half the job. If it lands in a low spot beside the concrete, it saturates the base from the edge in. Downspout locations, planting beds, swales and neighboring grades all belong in the plan.
Transitions Between Old and New Concrete
Extensions and replacements have to meet existing concrete, sidewalks, aprons and garage floors at workable elevations. A mismatch creates trip hazards or a dam that traps water at the joint. This is one of the first things we check on site.
Patios and Covered Areas
Patios beside a house need fall away from the wall, and covered patios must account for roof runoff at the drip line. Outdoor kitchens and slab-mounted structures add loads and penetration points that affect layout.
When You Need More Than Slope
Some properties need channel drains, area drains or regrading beyond the concrete footprint. If we see a drainage issue we cannot solve with slope alone, we say so in the estimate rather than pouring over the problem.
Have a low spot or a drainage problem? Send us the details, or see concrete repair.