Concrete Contractors in Milwaukie, OR

Milwaukie is one of the older cities in the area, and homeowners who need concrete contractors in Milwaukie are often dealing with walks and drives that have been in place for 60 years or more. Lot Whitcomb platted the town in 1849 on the banks of the Willamette River, and it was incorporated as the Town of Milwaukie on February 4, 1903. The population nearly tripled between 1950 and 1970, from 5,253 to 16,444, and has grown slowly since, to 21,119 in 2020.

Postwar concrete, now well past its prime

That jump from 1950 to 1970 is the story of a lot of Milwaukie's housing. Homes built in those decades often have original driveways, front walks and porch steps. After this many wet winters, the usual problems are cracked and sunken driveway panels, front steps that have separated from the house, and walks lifted by street trees. Many of these homes also have single-car drives that owners want widened.

We look at each piece on its own. A sound slab with one bad panel may only need a section replaced. A driveway with several broken panels and a failed base usually needs a full tear-out. Steps that have pulled away from the foundation are best replaced, since patching rarely holds.

Who fixes the sidewalk

The City of Milwaukie says the adjoining property owner is responsible for sidewalk repairs. Its Engineering department also oversees the SAFE program, which tracks sidewalk and street safety projects around the city. If your walk needs repair, we can replace the damaged panels and check whether the work reaches the right-of-way and needs a city permit before we schedule it.

The 2020 census counted 9,596 housing units, with 58.4 percent of occupied homes owner-occupied. Rental owners call us too, usually to clear a trip hazard or replace a failing walk before it becomes a liability.

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A cherry, a river and a light-rail line

The Bing cherry was developed in Milwaukie by Ah Bing, an orchard foreman for Seth Lewelling, and a mural in town honors his work. More recently, the MAX Orange Line opened to Milwaukie on September 12, 2015, and housing near it has seen new investment since. New construction and remodels near the line often call for new walks, entry steps and small patios that tie into older neighboring concrete.

At about 154 feet, Milwaukie is low and close to the Willamette, so wet soil is common. We grade every slab to drain, keep downspout water off the edges, and use air-entrained mixes and proper curing so the surface holds up.

Steps that last

Front steps are one of the most common jobs we see on Milwaukie's older homes. Over decades the soil under them settles, the steps pull away from the house, and water gets into the gap. We remove the old steps, set a proper base and footing, tie the new steps to the foundation where appropriate, and pour each tread at an even height with a slight pitch so water runs off. A broom finish gives grip in the rain. We also look at the landing at the top, since a landing that is too small is a common reason older steps feel unsafe.

Milwaukie projects

• Replacing original 1950s and 1960s driveways
• Widening single-car drives
• Rebuilding front steps and porch landings
• Sidewalk panel replacement
• New patios for older homes with little outdoor space
• Garage and shed slabs

Call (971) 370-7838 to book a visit anywhere in Milwaukie.