Concrete Services in Vancouver, WA: Frequently Asked Questions

Absolutely. Hiring an unlicensed contractor is a massive risk for homeowners. SMV Concrete is fully registered with the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I). We carry full liability and workers' comp insurance to protect you and your property during the entire build.

Yes! If your concrete is structurally sound but looks "tired," we can apply concrete stains or overlays. This is a great way for homeowners in established neighborhoods like Fishers Landing to get a high-end look without the cost of a full tear-out.

Exposed aggregate is a finish where the top layer of "cement paste" is washed away to reveal the natural stones underneath. It is incredibly popular in the Pacific Northwest because it is naturally slip-resistant and hides dirt and wear much better than a smooth broom finish.

At SMV Concrete, we prefer steel rebar over wire mesh for most residential driveways. Rebar provides superior structural reinforcement, especially in the shifting clay soils found in Battle Ground and Brush Prairie. It helps hold the slab together even if the ground settles over time.

People often use the terms interchangeably, but cement is actually just an ingredient (the glue). Concrete is the finished mixture of cement, water, sand, and gravel. We use specific regional mixes optimized for the temperature swings of the Columbia River Gorge.

Light mist is manageable, but we never pour in a Vancouver downpour. Heavy rain can wash out the cement "fines" on the surface, weakening the slab and ruining the finish. We monitor the local KGW or KOIN 6 forecasts closely and will only move forward when we have a safe window to ensure a professional finish.

Proper grading is everything. We build every project with a minimum 2% slope (roughly 1/4 inch per foot) to direct water away from your home’s foundation. In heavy-rain areas like Washougal, we can also integrate "trench drains" or "French drains" into the design to handle runoff.

Not every year. In the PNW, we recommend resealing every 2 to 3 years. You’ll know it’s time when water stops "beading" on the surface and starts soaking in, making the concrete look dark and damp. Sealing is the #1 way to prevent the moss and algae growth that turns Vancouver driveways green in the winter.

For standard passenger vehicles, we recommend waiting 7 to 10 days. While concrete feels "hard" after 24 hours, it takes 28 days to reach its full design strength ($4,000+ PSI$). If you have a heavy RV or delivery trucks (like FedEx/UPS) coming to your home in Ridgefield, we suggest waiting the full 28 days to avoid structural hair-line cracks.

• "Are you licensed, bonded, and insured in Washington?" (Always verify via L&I; our UBI is available upon request).

• "How do you handle drainage?" (In the PNW, a 2% slope is vital to keep water away from your foundation).

• "Do you use rebar or wire mesh?" (We use reinforced steel to ensure structural integrity against soil shifting).

• "Do you handle the permitting for sidewalk repairs?" (A professional should take the headache of the City Hall paperwork off your plate).

Many homeowners in Camas and Felida prefer the Ashlar Slate or London Cobblestone patterns. These mimic natural stone but are much easier to keep clear of PNW moss and weeds. We always add a slip-resistant "shark grip" additive to our sealers to ensure your decorative patio isn't a skating rink when it rains.

For a ramp to be truly accessible and compliant, it must follow a 1:12 slope ratio (for every 1 inch of rise, you need 12 inches of ramp). We also ensure a minimum width of 36 inches and non-slip textures, which are critical for safety during our wet, icy mornings in Ridgefield and Washougal.

Per VMC 11.030, property owners are responsible for the sidewalk abutting their land. If your sidewalk has a vertical lift of 1/2 inch or more, it’s considered a trip hazard. SMV Concrete specializes in municipal compliance; we handle the Right-of-Way permits and ensure the finish matches the city’s specific "broom finish" standards.

If cracks are wider than 1/2 inch or if the slab has shifted vertically (heaving), patching is a temporary "Band-Aid" that will likely fail after one winter. For properties in older neighborhoods like Hough or Arnada, tree roots often cause this damage. In these cases, a full replacement with a proper root barrier is the only way to protect your investment.

Yes, but with precautions. We monitor the forecast for "dry windows" and use non-chloride accelerators and curing blankets to ensure the concrete sets properly before the temperature drops or rain returns. However, for the best aesthetic results—especially for stamped or colored concrete—we target the drier months between May and October.

Start discussing your project in late winter (January–February). This is when the best local contractors fill their spring and summer schedules. Since projects in the City of Vancouver or Camas may require permits for right-of-way work (like sidewalk approaches), starting early ensures all paperwork is cleared before the dry "pouring window" opens.

Standard and Decorative Concrete are significantly more durable and lower maintenance than pavers or bluestone in the Columbia River Gorge area. Natural stone often shifts due to our high soil moisture, leading to uneven surfaces and moss growth in the joints. Concrete provides a solid, monolithic surface that stays level and is easy to pressure wash.

In areas like Battle Ground and Ridgefield, where soil can be heavy with clay and rain is frequent, the "freeze-thaw" cycle is our biggest enemy. At SMV Concrete, we use air-entrained concrete (creating billions of microscopic air bubbles) to give moisture a place to expand without cracking the slab. Combined with a 4,000 PSI mix, your driveway is built to last 30–50 years despite the PNW's damp winters.