Concrete Contractors in Portsmouth, VA

Portsmouth homeowners who call concrete contractors are often working on houses that are a century old or more. The town was established in 1752 by an act of the Virginia General Assembly, incorporated in 1836 and became an independent city in 1858. The shipyard that drove its growth began as the Gosport Shipyard in 1767 and is now the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, located entirely within city limits. The 2020 census counted 97,915 residents, the first population increase the city had seen since 1960.

Historic districts with their own character

Portsmouth has several listed residential districts, and each one shapes how we approach a job.

Olde Towne. Wikipedia says it has one of the largest collections of historically significant homes between Alexandria, Virginia and Charleston, South Carolina. Front walks and steps here are part of the streetscape, so we look closely at finish, joint layout and how new concrete meets brick.

Port Norfolk. This district of 621 buildings developed between 1890 and 1910 and was listed on the National Register in 1983.

Park View. A district of 295 buildings in northeast Portsmouth, developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and listed in 1984.

Cradock. Development began in 1918 for shipyard workers, and the district now counts 759 buildings. It was listed in 1974.

On these streets the concrete is usually a mix of eras. We replace what has failed and leave what is still sound, then match broom direction and edge detail so new work does not stand out.

Water on three sides

The city is bordered by water on the north, the Elizabeth River separates it from Norfolk, and the river's Western Branch cuts through the middle of town. Creeks such as Scott, Paradise and Baines feed into it. Low ground near those waterways tends to hold water after heavy rain, which is hard on any slab sitting on a weak base. We grade every pour to shed water, compact a firm base and keep downspouts from emptying onto the concrete.

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What we do in Portsmouth

• Driveways: narrow historic drives, replacements and widening where setbacks allow
• Patios: backyard slabs and replacements for cracked or tipped patios
• Stamped concrete: patterned patios and walks with colors that sit well next to old brick
• Sidewalks and steps: front walks, stoops and porch steps on older homes
• Garage and shed slabs: detached garages on alley lots and shed pads
• Repair and replacement: settled sections, trip edges and failed steps

Older lots take more planning

Many Portsmouth homes sit on narrow lots with alleys, tight side yards and mature trees. Getting a truck close can be hard, and roots often lift old walks. We plan the access route before the pour, protect landscaping and foundations, and cut out root-heaved sections carefully. If the work reaches the public walk or curb, we check the city's requirements before we start.

Newer neighborhoods too

Not every Portsmouth job is historic. Churchland and other western neighborhoods have newer houses where the work is driveway replacement, patio additions and garage slabs. The 2020 census counted 43,164 housing units in the city, and they range from 1890s rowhouses to recent infill. Call (757) 520-4973 to set up a visit anywhere in Portsmouth.