Concrete Contractors in Franklin, VA

Franklin is 21 miles west of Suffolk on U.S. Route 58, and we make the drive for driveway, patio, walkway, slab and repair jobs. Concrete contractors working in Franklin have to think about one thing more than most: the Blackwater River. The city sits beside it, and its floods have shaped how people here think about their homes and yards.

Two big floods in seven years

After Hurricane Floyd in 1999, the Blackwater crested at 26.4 feet. Downtown Franklin was under as much as 12 feet of water, and about 182 businesses and 150 homes were submerged, mostly downtown. In 2006, another storm brought a flood that came just below that record line. Those events are part of local memory, and they are a good reason to build flatwork that drains quickly and stands up to soaking.

What flooding does to concrete

Concrete itself is not ruined by getting wet. The trouble is what happens around it and under it:

• Washed-out base. Moving water can carry away soil and stone from under a slab's edges, leaving it unsupported.
• Settling. Soaked soil compresses, and slabs sink unevenly as it dries.
• Debris and staining. Floodwater leaves mud and chemicals that can discolor or weaken the surface.

After high water, we look for hollow spots, cracks at the edges and sunken corners. Some can be fixed with concrete repair; others need replacement.

How we build for it

We dig to firm soil, use a thicker layer of compacted crushed stone than usual on low lots, and choose rebar over mesh where we expect the base might be tested. We thicken slab edges to resist undermining. Where possible, we set new slabs at or slightly above the surrounding grade and pitch them so water leaves fast.

Get a Free Estimate

Older homes in town

The Franklin Historic District includes 226 contributing residential and commercial buildings, among them a circa 1840 homestead. Older houses often have narrow walks, steps and small driveways that have been patched many times. For these, we pour new sidewalks and walkways and steps with a broom finish, and replace worn concrete driveways with properly based slabs.

Patios, stamped concrete and slabs

Franklin's climate is hot and humid in summer, with a July mean daily high near 90 degrees and about 49.65 inches of rain a year. A concrete patio gives you a solid, easy-to-clean outdoor space. Stamped concrete adds pattern and color for a more finished look; we seal it to resist water and fading. We also pour concrete slabs for sheds, garages and workshops, sized to what they will hold.

A practical note on timing

We watch river forecasts and the weather before scheduling a pour. Fresh concrete should not sit in standing water while it cures. If heavy rain is coming, we reschedule rather than risk a weak surface.

Repairs after high water

If your property took on water, we start by washing off the mud so we can see the surface. Then we tap the slab to listen for hollow spots, check the edges for washed-out soil and look for new cracks. Small voids under an edge can sometimes be filled and the edge rebuilt. Large voids or sections that have dropped need to come out. We also check steps and walks at the front door, which often settle after a flood and become a trip hazard.

In the historic district, much of the concrete is older and thinner, so it suffers more from high water. We replace it with properly based slabs that hold up better the next time the river rises.

Book an estimate

We come to Franklin, look at the site, talk about drainage and finishes, and check whether the city requires a permit for your project. Call (757) 720-2469 to set a time.