Richmond Concrete Experts pours driveways, patios, and slabs and repairs sidewalks in Albany, the small Alameda County city just south of the Richmond Annex and El Cerrito. Albany is mostly flat, densely built, and full of older homes on small lots, which makes for a specific kind of concrete work.
Albany at a Glance
- Population: 20,271 at the 2020 census
- County: Alameda (Richmond and El Cerrito are in Contra Costa)
- Land area: about 1.8 square miles; most of the city's total area is water
- Main streets: Solano Avenue (walkable shops and restaurants) and San Pablo Avenue
- Landmarks: Albany Hill near the shore, the Albany Bulb landfill peninsula, and Cerrito and Codornices creeks marking the north and south borders
Flat Ground, Different Problems
Albany is relatively flat by Bay Area standards, rising only near the base of the Berkeley Hills. Flat lots avoid hillside retaining walls but bring their own issues:
Drainage on level lots
Without much natural fall, patios and driveways need a deliberate slope, usually about 1/8 to 1/4 inch per foot, so water moves to the street or a drain instead of toward the house.
Small lots, tight access
Many Albany driveways are narrow strips between houses. Removal and a new pour often happen with small equipment and careful planning for the concrete truck or pump.
Sidewalks and street trees
Street tree roots lifting public sidewalk panels are a common problem in older East Bay neighborhoods, Albany included. In California, Streets and Highways Code section 5610 makes the adjacent property owner responsible for keeping the sidewalk in repair. We replace damaged panels and the driveway approach. See sidewalks, steps & walkways.
Popular Projects Here
Driveway replacements, backyard patios that turn a small yard into usable space, garage floor slabs, and foundations or slabs for backyard cottages are the most common Albany jobs. For a small yard, a patio with a stamped or exposed aggregate finish can do a lot.
Albany Permits
Albany is its own city in Alameda County, and work in the sidewalk, curb, or driveway approach needs city approval. We confirm the requirements before we schedule anything.
Call for a Free Estimate
Call (510) 621-6126 or send the form, and we'll set up an on-site estimate at your Albany home.