ServicesConcrete Side Yards
Concrete Side Yards in Cerritos
That narrow strip between your house and the block wall works hard. We start by looking at how water moves there, what sits there and where your gas meter and AC unit are. Then we pour a side yard that drains away from your home and holds up to daily use.
A side yard that finally works
Most side yards begin as dirt, gravel or an old, thin slab that has settled toward the house. They collect weeds and puddles, and they turn muddy every time the sprinklers run. A properly poured concrete side yard gives you a clean path for trash bins, a level spot for the AC condenser and a surface that sheds water toward the street or a drain instead of toward your foundation.
Before we recommend anything, we walk the strip with you. We check the grade from front to back, how close the stucco weep screed sits to the ground, where downspouts empty and whether sprinkler lines or roots run through the area. You get our findings in plain words, so you know exactly why we suggest the slope, thickness and drainage we do.
We have been pouring flatwork around homes in Cerritos and nearby towns like Artesia, Lakewood and Cypress for 15+ years, and side yards are some of the most detail-heavy jobs we do because there is so little room for error.
What your side yard project includes
Site inspection and measurements
We measure the length and width, check the existing grade and note utilities, gates and hose bibs. You see what we found before any numbers are discussed.
Removal and haul-off
Old concrete, broken pavers, gravel and weeds come out and leave the property with us. We dig to the depth the new slab needs.
Grading for drainage
We set the slope so water runs away from your walls, either toward the front, the back or an area drain. Where downspouts empty into the side yard, we can add a channel drain or drain line to carry that water off.
Clearance at the stucco
We keep the finished surface below the weep screed at the base of your stucco walls. That lets the walls breathe and drain the way they were built to.
Forming, pour and finish
Narrow runs get control joints spaced close together so cracking stays in the joints. A broom finish is standard for grip, and a stamped finish is an option if the side yard is visible from your patio.
Cleanup and walkthrough
We rinse down walls and gates, clear the forms and walk the finished strip with you.
Signs your side yard needs new concrete
Water sits against the house
If puddles linger along the foundation after rain or watering, the ground is sloped the wrong way. That moisture can find its way under your home over time.
Mud and weeds every season
Dirt and gravel side yards never stay clean. Concrete ends the weeding and keeps mud off your shoes and out of the house.
An old slab tilting toward the walls
Thin or settled concrete that slopes toward the house is sending water exactly where you do not want it. Replacing it lets us reset the grade correctly.
Bins that are hard to roll
Dragging trash cans over gravel or broken pavement every week gets old. A smooth, level path makes the trip to the curb easy.
Dirt piled up against the stucco
Soil or old paving that buries the weep screed traps moisture in the wall. A new side yard set at the right height fixes the clearance.
How a side yard job runs
- 1
Walk-through and findings
We visit, measure and check drainage, utilities and access. We explain what we found and what we would recommend, then give you a written estimate.
- 2
Prep day
Our crew removes the old surface, grades the base, compacts it and sets forms. If drains or sprinkler lines need rerouting, that happens now.
- 3
Pour day
Because side yards are tight, we often bring concrete in by wheelbarrow or a small pump line rather than through your house or over the wall. We place, finish and cut joints the same day.
- 4
Cure and handoff
You can walk on it the next day and roll bins on it after a few days. We go over care tips and the 1-year warranty that covers our work before we leave.
What affects the price of a side yard
Side yards are usually long and narrow, so the price depends less on square footage alone and more on access, prep and drainage. We explain each line on your written estimate so nothing comes as a surprise.
- Length, width and thickness
- A longer run uses more concrete and forming. Areas that will carry heavier loads may call for a thicker slab or reinforcement.
- Access to the site
- A gate wide enough for a wheelbarrow keeps things simple. Tight gates or no gate at all may mean a pump line, which adds cost.
- What has to come out
- Removing an old slab or pavers takes more labor and hauling than clearing dirt or gravel.
- Drainage work
- Adding area drains, channel drains or downspout lines adds materials and time, but it is often the most important part of the job.
- Finish choice
- A broom finish is the most economical. Stamped or colored concrete costs more because of the extra materials and labor.
Side yard questions we hear often
Something not covered here? (562) 442-1399
How wide should a concrete side yard be?
In most cases we pour wall to wall, from your house to the block wall or property line. Covering the full strip gets rid of the dirt edges where weeds take hold. We form around your AC unit, gas meter and any planters you want to keep.
Which way will the water go?
That comes from what we see during the inspection. Many side yards slope gently toward the street, while others drain better to the back or into a new area drain. You see the drainage plan before we set a single form.
Can you get concrete into my side yard if the gate is narrow?
Yes. We bring material in by wheelbarrow or run a small pump line over or through the gate. Walls and landscaping along the route get covered so they stay clean.
Does someone have to stay home while you work?
No, you can go about your day. What we need is an unlocked gate and a few minutes with you on prep day and pour day to confirm the plan. Keep pets indoors until the fresh concrete has set.
Who stands behind the work once it's done?
We do. Our company holds a license from the California State License Board (CSLB), and every side yard we pour includes a 1-year warranty on our workmanship. If something comes up, give us a call and we will come take a look.
Let's look at your side yard together
Tell us what bothers you about that strip beside the house, and we will set a time to come out, measure and explain what we see. You get honest findings and a written estimate before any work begins.