About this project
We poured a new driveway and a new front walk at this brick ranch on Penny Drive in Sterling Heights. Both pours were complete by late June 2026. The driveway runs under a carport beside the house, and the walk connects the front door to the drive.
The main photo shows the slab under the carport, where the edge curves out around the lawn. Saw-cut joints split the drive into panels, and the surface has a light broom finish. The front photos show the walk after and before the pour: first the finished concrete with forms still in place, then the wood forms set on a gravel base.
What we did
- Poured a new concrete driveway from the street to the carport
- Formed a curved edge where the slab meets the lawn
- Set forms on a gravel base for a new front walk
- Poured the walk from the front step along the planter to the driveway
- Cut control joints and broom-finished both surfaces
What the gravel base under a walkway does
The before photo shows something homeowners rarely see: the base. Under every slab there should be a layer of compacted gravel. It gives the concrete an even, firm bed, and it lets water drain away instead of sitting under the slab. When trapped water freezes it expands, and a slab sitting on wet clay can heave and crack. A good base is the main defense against that in a Michigan winter.
The forms matter just as much. They set the height, the width and the slope of the walk. Here they run from the front step, along the planter and out to the driveway. Done right, a walk meets the step and the drive without a lip to trip on, and it sheds rain toward the lawn rather than toward the house.
Questions homeowners ask about driveways and walkways
Can the walk and the driveway be done at the same time?
Yes, and this job did both. Pouring them together means one setup, one cleanup and a matched color and finish. Concrete poured years apart rarely matches exactly.
Why is my new concrete lighter in some spots?
Fresh concrete dries unevenly at first. Shade, sun and moisture in the base all change how fast each area dries, so a slab can look blotchy for a while. The color usually evens out as it cures.
Do you work in Sterling Heights?
Yes, Sterling Heights is a city where we work often. More than 145 of our completed jobs are there, and more than 25 of those were concrete. Our Sterling Heights concrete page has more driveways and walks.
More photos from this job
See more of our driveway work and walkways and sidewalks, or call (844) 757-6543 for a free estimate.
