Concrete: The Ultimate Drainage Solution
Grant Cool • February 20, 2026
Water is a homeowner's most persistent foe. A soggy lawn turns into a muddy swamp. Puddles on the driveway become treacherous ice sheets in the winter. Worst of all, water pooling against your foundation can lead to devastating cracks, basement leaks, and costly structural damage. Many in Farmington have learned this the hard way, battling drainage issues with temporary fixes that never seem to last. You might have tried digging a shallow trench or adding more gravel, only to see the problem return after the next big rainstorm. These solutions often fail because they are susceptible to clogging with silt and debris.
The real, permanent answer to your water woes is often the most durable material in construction: concrete. When expertly installed, concrete is more than just a building material; it's a powerful tool for water management. At Farmington Concrete, we do more than just pour patios and driveways. We design and install intelligent hardscape systems that actively protect your home by controlling water. This guide will explain how concrete can solve your drainage problems for good and why it's the most effective, low-maintenance choice for your property.
The High Cost of Uncontrolled Water
Before we look at the solutions, it's vital to understand the damage that poor drainage can cause. Water always follows the path of least resistance. If you don't provide a clear path for it, water will carve its own, often through the most vulnerable parts of your home.
- Foundation Damage: This is the most serious threat. Water saturating the soil around your foundation creates immense hydrostatic pressure. This force can bow foundation walls, cause cracks to form, and lead to chronic basement flooding and mold growth.
- Landscape Erosion: Uncontrolled runoff from your roof or other hard surfaces can strip away topsoil and mulch, destroying your garden beds and leaving behind ugly, eroded gullies.
- Safety Hazards: Standing water on walkways and driveways is a major slip-and-fall risk. During Farmington's winters, these puddles freeze into dangerous sheets of ice, creating a liability hazard for your family and visitors.
- Pest Problems: A yard with standing water is a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes and other unwanted pests.
While a French drain filled with gravel might seem like an easy fix, it's a temporary one. Over time, soil and debris inevitably wash into the gravel, clogging the system and making it useless. Concrete, however, offers a solid, permanent solution that works year after year.
How Farmington Concrete Solves Drainage Issues
Concrete’s unique combination of strength, precision, and versatility makes it the superior choice for managing water on your property. Our team utilizes several key techniques to transform a water problem into a water solution.
1. The Power of a Perfect Slope
The simplest and most effective drainage tool is gravity. The key is to create a surface that guides water precisely where you want it to go. This is where professional concrete installation makes all the difference. When we pour a new driveway, patio, or walkway, we aren't just making it flat. We use laser levels and precise calculations to engineer a subtle, almost imperceptible slope—typically a 1% to 2% grade. This means the surface drops one to two feet over a distance of 100 feet. This gentle angle is all it takes to ensure rainwater sheets off the surface and flows away from your home's foundation, directing it toward the street or a designated drainage area. A DIY patio that slopes toward your house is far worse than no patio at all. We guarantee every surface we install actively works to keep your home dry.
2. Concrete Swales and Drainage Channels
For properties with more significant water issues, such as runoff from a neighbor's yard or a naturally low spot in the lawn, a simple slope may not be enough. In these situations, we design and install custom concrete drainage channels, also known as swales or flumes. A concrete swale is a wide, shallow trough designed to capture, control, and redirect large volumes of water. Think of it as a permanent, maintenance-free riverbed for your property. We can install them along property lines to intercept water flow or strategically across a lawn to solve areas that constantly flood. Unlike a grassy swale that erodes or a gravel drain that clogs, a concrete channel provides a smooth, solid, and predictable path for water. It's incredibly easy to clean with a leaf blower or hose and will perform its job flawlessly for decades.
3. Permeable Concrete: An Innovative Approach
One of the most exciting advancements in our industry is permeable concrete. While it looks very similar to a standard concrete surface, its engineering is completely different. The mix is designed to create a network of interconnected voids within the slab. When it rains on a permeable concrete surface, the water doesn't run off. It flows directly through it. The water passes through the pavement and into a sub-base of clean, open-graded stone below. This stone layer acts as a temporary reservoir, holding the water before allowing it to percolate slowly and naturally back into the soil. This technology is a game-changer for water management:
- Eliminates Runoff: It dramatically reduces the volume of stormwater leaving your property, which helps prevent erosion and eases the burden on municipal storm sewers.
- Recharges Groundwater: By returning rainwater to the soil, it helps replenish the natural water table.
- Meets Regulations: As environmental concerns grow, many municipalities are encouraging or even requiring permeable surfaces to manage stormwater effectively.
Permeable concrete is an outstanding choice for driveways, patios, and walkways, providing the strength of traditional concrete while functioning like a natural drainage field.
Why Concrete is the Superior Choice
When considering drainage solutions, you have options. But concrete consistently outperforms other materials in durability, maintenance, and effectiveness.
- Durability: Concrete doesn't rot, rust, or decay. A professionally installed concrete drainage system will outlast any plastic or metal alternative by decades. It can handle vehicle traffic, heavy snow, and freeze-thaw cycles without breaking down.
- Low Maintenance: A concrete swale is virtually maintenance-free. There are no pipes to clog or filters to clean. A quick sweep to remove leaves is all you’ll ever need to do.
- Effectiveness: The non-porous surface and precise grading of traditional concrete give you absolute control over water flow. You decide exactly where the water goes, every single time it rains.
- Aesthetic Integration: We can design concrete drainage solutions that blend beautifully with your existing landscape and hardscapes. Whether you prefer a simple broom finish or an elegant stamped pattern, the drainage feature becomes an integrated part of your design, not an eyesore.
Farmington Concrete: Your Partner in Water Management
Solving a drainage problem requires more than just pouring concrete; it demands a deep understanding of grading, water dynamics, and local soil conditions. When you work with Farmington Concrete, you're not just hiring a contractor—you're partnering with a team of problem-solvers. Our process always starts with a comprehensive site evaluation. We analyze the topography of your property, identify the sources of water, and determine the safest and most effective strategy for managing it. We then design a custom solution tailored to your specific needs, whether it's a perfectly graded driveway, a strategically placed swale, or a modern permeable patio.
Don't let poor drainage diminish the value and safety of your home. A professionally designed concrete solution is a permanent, effective, and surprisingly elegant way to solve your water woes for good. Ready to stop fighting water and start directing it? Contact Farmington Concrete today for a professional consultation and let us create a solid drainage plan for you.
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Stroll down the aisle of your local hardware store in Farmington, and you will see pallets stacked high with heavy paper bags. They all look similar—gray dust in thick packaging—but printed boldly on the front of each bag is a number: 3000, 4000, 5000, or perhaps something even higher. Next to it, you’ll spot the acronym "PSI." For the average homeowner planning a weekend DIY project, these numbers can be confusing. Is a higher number always better? Is the cheapest bag sufficient for a driveway? Does it really matter what you choose for a simple fence post? At Farmington Concrete, we believe that an informed customer is a satisfied customer. Understanding the materials you are working with is the first step toward building something that lasts. That number on the bag isn't just a suggestion; it is a critical rating that predicts the longevity and safety of your project. In this guide, we will demystify the technical jargon, explain what PSI really means , and show you how Farmington Concrete helps you make the right choice for a solid foundation. What is PSI? The Science of Strength PSI stands for Pounds per Square Inch . In the construction industry, this is the standard unit of measurement for compressive strength. Simply put, it measures how much weight or pressure a set block of concrete can withstand before it cracks or crumbles. Imagine a single square inch of concrete—about the size of a postage stamp. If a bag is rated at 4000 PSI, that tiny square can support 4,000 pounds of direct vertical pressure without failing. To put that in perspective, that is roughly the weight of a standard mid-size sedan resting on an area smaller than a golf ball. It is important to understand that concrete doesn't reach this strength immediately. When you first pour it, it is a liquid. As it cures (hardens), it gains strength. 7 Days: Concrete typically reaches about 70% of its potential strength. 28 Days: This is the industry standard. The PSI rating on the bag refers to the minimum strength the concrete will achieve after curing for a full 28 days. Why Does PSI Matter for Your Home? You might be wondering, "I’m just building a patio for a barbecue grill. Do I really need concrete that can hold up a truck?" The answer is almost always yes. PSI isn't just about load-bearing capacity; it is a universal indicator of quality, density, and resistance to the elements. 1. Surviving the Freeze-Thaw Cycle Living in Farmington means dealing with seasonal weather changes. The freeze-thaw cycle is one of the most destructive forces for outdoor masonry. When water seeps into the microscopic pores of concrete and freezes, it expands, creating internal pressure that causes flaking (spalling) and cracking. Higher PSI concrete typically contains more cement and less sand, making it denser. A denser mix is less permeable to water. Therefore, a 4000 PSI slab will naturally resist winter damage far better than a 2500 PSI slab, regardless of how much weight is sitting on top of it. 2. Resistance to Wear and Tear Your concrete surfaces take a beating. Driveways suffer abrasion from tires; walkways deal with foot traffic, skateboards, and snow shovels. Lower PSI concrete is "softer" and more prone to dusting or wearing down over time. Higher PSI mixes provide a harder, more durable surface that resists abrasion, keeping your finish looking pristine for years. 3. Preventing Structural Failure For projects that do carry weight, selecting the correct PSI is non-negotiable. If you park a heavy RV or a dually truck on a driveway poured with low-strength concrete meant for a sidewalk, the slab will eventually snap. The internal structure simply isn't robust enough to distribute that concentrated load. Matching the Number to the Project At Farmington Concrete, we help our clients match the mix to the mission. Generally, residential concrete projects fall into three categories of strength. General Purpose (2,500 – 3,000 PSI) This is your economy-grade concrete. It is cost-effective and easy to mix, but it is not designed for heavy loads or severe weather exposure. Best Uses: Setting fence posts, securing mailbox posts, or creating small pads for trash cans. Why: These applications usually involve burying the concrete (footings), where surface finish and freeze-thaw resistance are less critical. Standard Residential (3,500 – 4,000 PSI) This is the gold standard for most home improvement projects. It offers excellent durability and a smooth finish without breaking the bank. Best Uses: Driveways, sidewalks, patios, garage floors, and hot tub foundations. Why: These surfaces need to support vehicle traffic and withstand the elements. The higher cement content ensures a creamy finish that looks great and resists flaking. High-Performance (5,000+ PSI) This is heavy-duty material, often used in commercial or industrial settings, but available for homeowners who want the absolute best. Best Uses: Heavy equipment workshops, RV pads, countertops, and projects in areas with severe weather conditions. Why: This concrete is incredibly dense and nearly impervious to water. It sets up faster and is harder to work with, but once cured, it is virtually indestructible. The Hidden Danger: The Water Factor There is one crucial caveat that Farmington Concrete shares with every DIYer: The PSI rating is only accurate if you mix it correctly. The number one mistake homeowners make is adding too much water. Concrete is a chemical recipe. The cement needs a precise amount of water to activate. Adding extra water to make the mix "soupier" and easier to pour spreads out the aggregate particles. As that excess water evaporates, it leaves behind air pockets. Adding just one extra quart of water to a bag can slash the strength by up to 40%. That premium 4000 PSI bag you bought could turn into a weak 2400 PSI slab simply because you wanted it to flow faster. How Farmington Concrete Ensures Quality Knowing the theory is one thing; executing a perfect pour is another. That is where we come in. When you hire Farmington Concrete, you aren't just paying for labor; you are investing in technical expertise that protects your property value. We Assess Your Needs We don't guess. We look at what you are building. If you are installing a basketball court, we know you need a specific mix that offers a smooth finish and decent rebound. If you are pouring a foundation for a heavy shed, we calculate the load requirements to ensure you get the right strength. We Control the Mix Whether we are mixing on-site or ordering a truck, we rigorously monitor the water-to-cement ratio. We ensure the concrete is workable enough to finish beautifully but dry enough to maintain its maximum rated strength. We never dilute quality for the sake of speed. We Reinforce for Longevity PSI measures compressive strength (pushing down), but concrete is naturally weak in tensile strength (pulling apart). We combine the correct PSI concrete with steel rebar or wire mesh. This creates a composite material that resists cracking from shifting soil or temperature changes. Build It Right the First Time Concrete is permanent. If you pour a driveway with the wrong mix and it cracks within two years, the cost to rip it out and replace it is astronomical compared to doing it right the first time. Don't gamble your home’s foundation on a guess. Let the experts at Farmington Concrete help you navigate the numbers and choose the perfect solution for your project. 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When you plan to add a new feature to your property—a shed for your tools, a stable spot for a hot tub, or a clean surface for your grill and patio chairs—the success of the project starts from the ground up. You need a solid foundation. More often than not, that foundation is a concrete pad . A concrete pad is a simple, flat slab of poured concrete that serves as a durable base for countless outdoor projects. While it seems like a straightforward choice, it’s a permanent structural addition with its own unique benefits and drawbacks. Is it the best option for what you have in mind? At Farmington Concrete, we believe that an educated customer is a satisfied customer. We do more than just pour concrete; we provide the information you need to feel confident in your decision. To help you determine if a concrete pad fits your goals, budget, and property, let’s explore the pros and cons in detail. The Pros: Why Concrete Pads Are a Go-To Solution Concrete has been a cornerstone of construction for generations, and for good reason. A professionally installed concrete pad delivers a combination of strength, longevity, and ease of use that few other materials can match. 1. Unmatched Durability and Strength The primary advantage of a concrete pad is its exceptional strength. When mixed correctly, poured to the proper thickness, and reinforced, a concrete slab can support thousands of pounds. This makes it the only practical choice for heavy items like a large workshop, a multi-person hot tub filled with water, or even a vehicle lift in a home garage. Unlike a gravel base or individual pavers that can shift, sink, and become uneven over time, a monolithic concrete pad provides a solid, immovable surface. This stability is critical for ensuring sheds don’t settle, doors don’t warp, and sensitive equipment remains perfectly level. 2. Extremely Low Maintenance Once a concrete pad is installed and cured, it becomes one of the most low-maintenance surfaces you can own. There are no gaps for weeds to grow through, no individual stones to re-level, and no loose material to rake back into place. For the most part, cleaning is as simple as sweeping off debris or rinsing it down with a garden hose. This "set it and forget it" quality is a huge benefit for busy homeowners who want to spend their time enjoying their yard, not working on it. 3. Incredible Versatility A concrete pad is a blank slate that can be formed into almost any shape or size to fit your landscape and project needs. Its versatility makes it the perfect solution for a wide range of applications: Foundations for sheds, garages, and workshops. Bases for hot tubs, swim spas, and pool equipment. Patios for outdoor dining sets, fire pits, and grills. Clean, dry kennel runs for pets. Stable platforms for large trash cans or AC condenser units. Small sports courts for basketball or pickleball. This adaptability means a single, well-poured slab can serve your needs for decades to come, no matter how your use of the space evolves. 4. Longevity and Weather Resistance A concrete pad installed by the experts at Farmington Concrete is built to last. It is naturally resistant to rot, termites, and fire. When properly sealed, it stands up exceptionally well to rain, snow, and the challenging freeze-thaw cycles that can destroy other materials. This impressive lifespan often makes concrete a more cost-effective choice in the long run compared to materials that require frequent repair or replacement, like a wooden deck. The Cons: What to Consider Before You Pour While we are proud of the lasting quality of our concrete work, we believe in full transparency. There are potential downsides and important considerations that every homeowner should be aware of before committing to a concrete pad. 1. The Reality of Cracking This is a fundamental characteristic of all concrete: it can crack. At Farmington Concrete, we take every professional step to manage this risk. This includes meticulous site preparation, compacting the soil, using steel rebar for reinforcement, and cutting strategic control joints to encourage the concrete to crack in a straight, clean line. However, factors like ground settlement and natural expansion and contraction from temperature swings can still cause hairline cracks to appear. The good news is that minor cracks are typically cosmetic and do not affect the structural integrity of the pad. Still, if your goal is a surface that is guaranteed to remain absolutely flawless forever, concrete may not be the right choice. 2. Higher Upfront Cost Compared to simpler solutions like leveling the ground and laying down a thick bed of gravel, a professionally installed concrete pad has a higher initial cost. The price includes the labor for excavation and building forms, the cost of the concrete itself, and materials like steel reinforcement and sealant. While its longevity provides excellent long-term value, the upfront expense can be a significant factor for some project budgets. 3. Its Permanent Nature One of concrete's greatest strengths—its permanence—can also be a drawback. Once a concrete pad is poured, it is there for the long haul. Removing it is a loud, difficult, and expensive process that requires heavy machinery like jackhammers. If you are not completely certain about the placement of your shed or think you might want to redesign your yard in a few years, the permanent nature of a concrete pad is a major factor to consider. 4. The Installation Process Pouring a concrete pad is not a simple DIY job if you want it to last. It requires expertise in grading, forming, placing, and finishing. The process can be messy and will temporarily disrupt that area of your yard. Furthermore, concrete needs time to cure—it can take several days before it’s ready to bear significant weight and up to a month to reach its full strength. This contrasts with other options, like interlocking pavers, which are ready for use almost immediately. How Farmington Concrete Helps You Decide Choosing the right foundation is about balancing the specific needs of your project with your budget and long-term plans. When you contact Farmington Concrete, our process begins with a conversation, not a sales pitch. Project-Specific Design: We start by asking what you plan to put on the pad. The thickness and reinforcement needed for a hot tub are very different from what’s required for a small garden shed. We design the pad specifically for its intended purpose to ensure it performs perfectly. Thorough Site Evaluation: We examine your soil conditions, grading, and drainage. A stable, long-lasting pad begins with a properly prepared sub-base. We ensure the site is ready to prevent future problems like settling and cracking. Clear and Honest Quoting: We help you weigh the upfront cost against the incredible long-term value. We’ll discuss different options for thickness and finish, providing a clear, itemized quote so you know exactly what to expect with no surprises. If you decide a concrete pad is the right solution, our skilled team will ensure your installation is performed to the highest industry standards. From compacting the base to applying the final trowel finish, we focus on every detail to build a durable, level, and long-lasting foundation for your project. Ready to build on a solid footing? Contact Farmington Concrete today for an honest, professional consultation and a free quote on your concrete pad installation. Meta Information Meta Title: Pros & Cons of a Concrete Pad | Farmington Concrete Meta Description: Is a concrete pad right for your project? Farmington Concrete explores the pros of durability and the cons of cost and cracking to help you decide.
You watch the Farmington Concrete crew pour a flawless, smooth slab of gray concrete for your new driveway or patio. It looks perfect—a seamless extension of your home. Then, just as it begins to harden, the contractor takes a saw and cuts lines right across that pristine surface. It feels counterintuitive. Why would anyone intentionally scar a brand-new finish? At Farmington Concrete, we get asked this question often. Those cuts, known as concrete joints , are not mistakes. They are a critical part of the engineering process. While a seamless slab might be the aesthetic dream, the reality of physics makes it impossible to maintain. Concrete moves, shrinks, and breathes. If you don't tell it where to crack, it will decide for itself—and it rarely chooses a straight line. Understanding the pros and cons of concrete joints is essential for any homeowner investing in hardscaping. Here is how Farmington Concrete helps you navigate the necessity of joints to ensure your project stands the test of time. Why Do We Cut Fresh Concrete? To understand the pros and cons, you first need to understand the "why." Concrete is incredibly strong under compression (being pushed down), but it is weak under tension (being pulled apart). As wet concrete cures and dries, it loses moisture and shrinks. Later, as the seasons change in Farmington—from freezing winters to humid summers—the slab expands and contracts. All this movement creates internal stress. If you don't provide a designated spot for that stress to release, the concrete will create one for itself. The result is rarely pretty; it usually manifests as a jagged, wandering crack that compromises the structural integrity of the slab. The Pros: Why Joints Are Your Concrete’s Best Friend When we install joints, we are essentially telling the concrete exactly where to crack and how to move. This offers several non-negotiable benefits for the longevity of your investment. 1. Controlled and Predictable Cracking The biggest advantage of a control joint (or contraction joint) is predictability. We know the concrete is going to crack due to shrinkage—it is an inevitability of the material. By cutting a straight groove into the slab, we create a weakened plane. When the tension builds, the concrete cracks at the bottom of that groove, straight down through the slab. To the naked eye, the surface remains neat and intentional. The crack is hidden within the joint, rather than spiderwebbing randomly across the center of your patio. 2. Preventing Buckling and Crushing Expansion joints are different from control joints. These are the wider gaps you see where a driveway meets a garage floor or a sidewalk meets a curb. They are filled with a flexible material that acts like a shock absorber. When the summer sun hits your concrete, the slab expands. Without an expansion joint to absorb that growth, the concrete would have nowhere to go. It would push against the foundation of your home or adjacent slabs, causing the edges to crush, spall, or even buckle upwards (heave). Expansion joints sacrifice themselves to save the slab. 3. Structural Stability Properly placed joints do more than just hide cracks; they keep the slab level. In many control joints, the rough faces of the crack below the cut "lock" together (a process called aggregate interlock). This prevents one side of the slab from sinking lower than the other, keeping your surface flat and safe for walking or driving. The Cons: Challenges to Consider While joints are structurally necessary, they do introduce some drawbacks that homeowners need to manage. At Farmington Concrete, we believe in being upfront about these maintenance realities. 1. Aesthetic Interruption For those who love the look of a seamless, monolithic floor, the grid pattern of joints can be a visual distraction. While we can incorporate joints into decorative patterns (like a large tile look), they inevitably break up the visual flow of the concrete. 2. Required Maintenance Joints are the "high maintenance" feature of a concrete slab. Because they are grooves, they naturally collect dirt, sand, and debris. If neglected, they can become a breeding ground for weeds or moss. Furthermore, the flexible filler materials used in expansion joints don't last forever. Over time, they can dry out, crack, or pop out, requiring replacement to remain effective. 3. Water Intrusion Risks If a joint isn't sealed properly, it becomes a doorway for water to get under your slab. In our climate, this is dangerous. Water that settles beneath concrete can freeze and expand, lifting the slab and causing major cracks. Even without freezing, water can erode the soil support (subgrade), leading to sunken, uneven concrete. The Different Types of Joints We Use At Farmington Concrete, we don't just cut lines at random. We use specific engineering principles to determine the type and placement of every joint. Control (Contraction) Joints: These are the most common. We either groove them while the concrete is wet or saw-cut them once it hardens. They typically go about 1/4 of the way through the slab depth to guide cracking. Expansion (Isolation) Joints: These separate the slab from other structures (walls, columns, other slabs). They go all the way through the depth of the concrete to ensure zero contact between the two elements. Construction Joints: These occur where we stop pouring for the day. We use steel dowels to link the two separate pours together so they act as one unit while still allowing for a clean stop-start point. How Farmington Concrete Minimizes the Downsides The "pros" of joints—structural safety and crack control—vastly outweigh the "cons." However, the downsides like maintenance and aesthetics can be easily managed with the right planning and care. That is where Farmington Concrete comes in. We plan every pour meticulously. We calculate the optimal spacing for joints based on the thickness of your slab and the specific mix we are using to minimize the number of cuts needed while maximizing protection. We can also provide professional sealing services. By filling control joints with a color-matched, flexible sealant, we can keep debris and water out while making the lines blend in visually with the rest of the surface. Don't let the fear of cracks or maintenance ruin your project. Let us engineer a solution that embraces the nature of concrete while delivering the beautiful, durable finish you expect. Have questions about your upcoming concrete project? Contact Farmington Concrete today for professional advice on joint layout, installation, and long-term maintenance. Meta Information Meta Title: Pros & Cons of Concrete Joints | Farmington Concrete Meta Description: Are concrete joints necessary? Farmington Concrete explains why joints prevent cracks, their pros & cons, and how to maintain them.