Most concrete problems show up early if you know what to look for. In Kansas City, shortcuts reveal themselves after the first rain, a windy afternoon, check this out or the first winter freeze. Use this checklist to spot red flags in patios, driveways, steps, and walkways around the metro—before you sign off on a job or cut the final read more check.
Red Flags You Can See the Same Day
- Poor drainage/slope: Water ponds against the house or in low spots. Slabs should shed water—typically 1/8–1/4" per foot. Jagged edges & sloppy forms: Wavy edges, bulged forms, or honeycombing at margins suggest rushed forming and poor consolidation. Overworked surface: Dark, blotchy, or burnished areas from finishing with bleed water present—expect delamination and scaling later. Missing curing: No curing compound or cover means a chalky surface within days during KC’s windy season.
Issues That Appear Within Weeks
- Random cracks: Long, jagged cracks not aligned with joints indicate late or missing saw cuts, or too-wide joint spacing. Map cracking/crazing: Fine surface networks often tied to rapid drying, over-troweling, or water added during finish. Color inconsistency: Patchy, zebra-striping panels reveal poor curing, mixed finishing timing, or mismatched batches.
Winter Tells in KC
- Edge spalling: Downspouts discharging on slab margins cause saturated edges that pop and flake in freeze–thaw cycles. Scaling/flake-off: Non air-entrained mixes or no curing often show widespread paste loss after a deicer-heavy season.
What Quality Looks Like
- Base and forms: Compacted granular base, geotextile where needed, tight forms staked and braced. Rebar on chairs: Steel tied and supported—not lying in dirt—with dowels at thresholds and cold joints. Straight joints: Spacing matched to thickness (≈ 24–30×), clean cuts, and consistent depth. Uniform finish: Even broom texture, crisp edges, no tears, no bleed water sheen. Curing & cleanup: Curing compound applied promptly; site left neat with joint dust managed.
Questions to Ask Before Final Payment
- “Please walk me through your joint layout and cut timing.” “Which curing method did you use, and when was it applied?” “Is the mix air-entrained for exterior exposure in KC?” “How did you verify base compaction?”
When to Call for Corrections
Significant ponding, missing joints, or major delamination warrants repair or panel replacement before you close learn more out. Document issues concrete driveway repair kansas city with photos and a level. Most reputable Kansas City contractors see how it works will address legitimate defects to protect their reputation and warranty.
Bottom Line
A bad concrete job in Kansas City looks rushed: poor slope, messy edges, random cracks, no curing. A good job looks planned: solid base, joint discipline, air-entrained mix, and immediate curing. Use this checklist during the walkthrough to separate craftsmanship from shortcuts.