Concrete Contractors in University City, MO

University City is one of the oldest inner-ring suburbs in the county, and concrete contractors working here mostly replace and repair work that has been in place for generations. Edward Gardner Lewis bought 85 acres just outside the St. Louis city limits in 1902, the city incorporated in September 1906, and Wikipedia says it grew faster than any other city in Missouri between 1910 and 1920. The 2020 census counted 35,065 residents and 18,019 housing units on about 5.9 square miles. We replace front steps and walks, driveways and alley pads, patios and garage slabs, and we repair concrete that has cracked or heaved.

A city built out by 1960

University City had 25,809 people in 1930, 39,892 in 1950 and peaked at 51,249 in 1960. It has lost residents in every census since 1970. In concrete terms, that means nearly every slab in town was first poured before the 1960s, and much of it has been patched or partly replaced over the years. Wikipedia notes that much historic architecture remains in the older southern part of the city, particularly along Delmar Boulevard.

On these properties the common jobs are front steps that have settled or crumbled, walks lifted by old trees, a narrow drive to a rear garage, and a garage floor that has cracked into pieces. We size each job to what has actually failed. If one flight of steps is the problem, we replace the steps and leave the sound walk alone.

Between two watersheds

Wikipedia notes that Midland Boulevard divides the Mississippi and Missouri river watersheds as it runs through part of the city, and that the River des Peres rises in the hills near the University City and Clayton boundary before running north and then through culverts toward the Mississippi. The highest point is the western end of Delmar Boulevard. In practice that means rolling lots, where some yards drain well and others collect water from uphill neighbors. We read the slope before we form a patio or walk, and we pitch every slab so water leaves the house.

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Steps that carry a lot of traffic

Many University City homes and two-family buildings have a full flight of concrete steps from the sidewalk up to the porch. Those steps take freeze-thaw cycles, de-icing salt and constant foot traffic, so they are often the first concrete on the lot to fail. We remove the old steps, check the footing and the porch they meet, and form new steps with even risers and treads. Handrail anchors can be set into the new concrete if you want a rail.

Permits and the right-of-way

Work that touches the public sidewalk, curb or driveway approach generally needs city approval. We check with University City about what your project requires and schedule any inspections before the pour.

Our University City services

• Steps and stoops: full flights to porches and back steps
• Sidewalks: front walks and side paths, including walks lifted by roots
• Driveways: narrow drives, alley pads and aprons
• Patios: back patios for small and mid-size yards
• Garage slabs: floors for detached garages
• Repair: trip edges, broken panels and scaled surfaces

Call (314) 886-6738 to book a visit anywhere in University City.