Cracked driveway or new patio?Get matched with a San Diego concrete pro.
Tell us about your concrete project and we'll pass it to an independent, insured concrete contractor who does that kind of work in your part of San Diego County. It's free, and you're never obligated to hire anyone.
Request help
Takes about 60 seconds.
Concrete services
From a new driveway to lifting a sunken walkway, choose the kind of work you need. We'll route your request to an independent contractor who handles that work in your part of San Diego County.
Concrete Driveways
New driveways, replacements, widening, and parking pads.
02Concrete Patios
New patios, patio extensions, and slabs for outdoor living.
03Sidewalks & Walkways
Front walks, garden paths, steps, and sidewalk replacement.
04Stamped & Decorative Concrete
Stamped patterns, color, exposed aggregate, and decorative borders.
05Concrete Repair & Leveling
Crack repair, slab lifting, resurfacing, and trip-hazard fixes.
06Slabs & Foundations for Sheds and Additions
Shed pads, workshop and garage slabs, and footings for additions.
07Garage Floors & Epoxy Coatings
Garage slab replacement, epoxy and polyaspartic coatings, sealing.
What makes concrete last in San Diego
San Diego is easy on concrete in some ways: almost no freezing and no road salt. It's hard on concrete in others. Clay soils that swell when watered, hillside lots, dry Santa Ana winds and summer-long irrigation cause most of the cracking and lifting we hear about. Knowing the basics helps you compare quotes on more than price.
Clay that moves with water
San Diego County's own geology review says highly expansive soils occur mainly on the coastal plain's marine terraces and mesas, and also in foothill valleys near places like Escondido. These clays swell when wet and shrink when dry, and irrigation can make the swings worse. Ask how the subgrade will be prepared and moisture-conditioned.
Irrigation and drainage
Most local rain falls in winter storms, but sprinklers wet the soil year-round, often right at a slab's edge. Uneven moisture means uneven support. Slope slabs away from the house, keep spray heads off the concrete and send downspouts somewhere other than the slab edge.
Dry wind and inland heat
Coastal neighborhoods are mild, but inland valleys get hot, and Santa Ana winds bring very dry air. Both pull water out of fresh concrete fast, which leads to surface cracking and a weak top layer. Early-morning pours, a dampened base and prompt curing are how good crews handle it.
Three steps. No cost to you.
Expert Pours is a referral service, not a contractor. Partner companies pay for referrals, so the request is free for you.
Tell us what happened
Share your ZIP code and what you're dealing with.
We match a local pro
Your request goes to an independent, insured company serving your area.
They call you
Schedule an inspection and get a quote. You decide whether to hire them.
Across Metro San Diego.
We take requests from property owners across San Diego County. These are some of the cities we hear from most often, each with its own mix of soil, terrain, housing age and permit office.
How a concrete mixer truck delivers a pour
An interactive look inside. Press the buttons to run each step.
Know before you call.
Plain-English answers to the questions homeowners ask most.
Questions, answered
Is this service free?
Yes. There's no cost to you to request help. Concrete contractors in our network pay for referrals. You only pay the contractor you hire, and you're never obligated to hire anyone.
Are you a concrete contractor?
No. We're an independent referral service. We pass your request to an independent, insured concrete contractor serving your area, and they contact you directly.
Do concrete contractors need a license in California?
Yes, for nearly any real project. The Contractors State License Board licenses concrete contractors under the C-8 classification. Since January 1, 2025, unlicensed people may only do jobs under $1,000 total that need no permit and use no employees. Look up any license on the CSLB website before you sign.
Do I need a permit for driveway or sidewalk work in San Diego?
For work in the public right-of-way, such as the driveway apron, curb, gutter or public sidewalk, usually yes. In the City of San Diego, Development Services issues right-of-way permits and offers a Rapid Review track for City-standard residential driveways and smaller sidewalk replacements. Other cities in the county run their own permits.
Why does concrete crack in San Diego if it never freezes?
Mostly because of the soil and water. Much of the coastal plain and some foothill valleys have expansive clay that swells when wet and shrinks when dry, and irrigation makes the swings uneven. Fill on graded lots, tree roots, slopes and fast drying on hot, windy pour days also play a part.