Concrete Contractors in Tradition, FL

Tradition is one of the newest parts of Port St. Lucie, and homeowners there usually call concrete contractors to finish what the builder started. Core Communities began developing Tradition in 2006 on what had been a large cattle ranch west of the Interstate 95 interchange with Gatlin Boulevard, and the community has room for more than 18,000 residences. With homes that young, the driveway is often still in decent shape, and the backyard is where most of the work is.

The builder patio problem

New homes commonly come with a small patio, often just big enough for a table and two chairs under the roof line. Once a family settles in, they want space for a grill, a dining set, a fire pit or a path to the pool, so extending that slab is a frequent request in newer communities.

The key is how the new slab meets the old one. We drill and dowel into the existing patio so the two slabs move together instead of drifting apart, and we place a joint at the seam so any crack lands there instead of wandering across the new concrete. To make the addition look original, we match the broom finish. To make it look better than original, a stamped or decorative surface across both slabs is another route, covered below.

Stamped concrete that fits a planned town

Tradition was modeled on a 1950s-era town, with Tradition Square at its center. Homeowners here often want outdoor spaces that look finished rather than plain gray. Stamped concrete gives you the look of slate, flagstone, brick or wood plank at a lower cost than real stone in many cases. Color is added to the mix or broadcast on the surface, then a release color brings out the texture. A sealer protects the finish and needs to be renewed every few years, more often on a deck that gets full sun and pool water.

Pool decks in a young neighborhood

A pool is often added a few years after move-in. The pool build includes a deck, but owners often want it larger, or want a cooler, textured surface after a season of hot feet. We pour new decks and extend existing ones, and we talk through finishes that stay cooler in summer and grip when wet. Around a pool, slope matters as much as finish: the deck has to drain away from the water and away from the house.

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Slabs for the extras

New homes also need small slabs that were not part of the original build:

• A pad for a standby generator
• A pad for a second A/C condenser or pool equipment
• A slab for a shed, a golf cart or a kayak rack along the side yard
• A walkway from the driveway to a side gate

These are small jobs, but they still need a compacted base, correct thickness and forms set so water drains away from the house.

HOA approval comes first

Planned communities usually have architectural review rules. They may cover how far a patio can extend, what colors are allowed, whether a driveway can be widened and what materials can be used near the street. We cannot answer those questions for your association, but we can give you a clear scope, a drawing of the slab layout and the finish details so you can submit them. We start work after you have the approval you need, and we check whether the city requires a permit for the job.

Schools, research and commerce

Tradition was built as more than a subdivision. The Port St. Lucie article credits it with about 13 million square feet of commercial space. In 2008 it welcomed the Florida Center of Innovation, a 150-acre research park later renamed the Tradition Center for Innovation; by 2019 only Torrey Pines and the Tradition Medical Center, part of the Martin Health System, remained there. TAMCO's 400,000-square-foot manufacturing and distribution center in Tradition Commerce Park was completed in late 2019. Schools named for the community include Palm Pointe Research School at Tradition, Renaissance Charter School at Tradition and Tradition Preparatory High School. For homeowners the practical upshot is a busy road network around I-95 exit 118 (Gatlin Blvd./Tradition Pkwy.), so we plan concrete deliveries for times when trucks can get in and out easily.

Driveways and the City

Tradition is inside the City of Port St. Lucie, so a driveway that is widened, resurfaced or given a second approach falls under the City Public Works Department's Residential Driveway Modification Permit. That form keeps driveways at least 6 feet from a side lot line and caps impervious area at 80% of the lot, which matters if a patio, pool deck and wider driveway are all planned for the same yard. You get a written scope with thickness, finish, joint layout and any removal. Call (772) 280-4969 to set up a visit.