Concrete Contractors in Cold Springs, NV

Cold Springs is a census-designated place just off U.S. Route 395 in the northwest corner of the Reno-Sparks area, next to the California line, and it is one of the higher valleys we serve as concrete contractors. It sits at 5,059 feet, more than 600 feet above Sparks. The population climbed from 3,834 in 2000 to 8,544 in 2010 and 10,153 in 2020, and Census QuickFacts lists an owner-occupied rate of 91.8%.

What the name tells you

The Shoshoni name for the area, Eitse'ihpaa, is said to mean cold water or cold spring. The name fits. Higher valleys cool off faster at night, and winter mornings at 5,000 feet are hard on any concrete that was not built for freezing.

That is why our standards here do not change from job to job:

• Air-entrained concrete for every outdoor slab, step and walk
• A broom finish for grip on frosty mornings
• Control joints spaced, in feet, at two to three times the slab thickness in inches (8 to 12 feet for a 4-inch slab)
• Slopes that move water off the slab before it can freeze in place
• Curing that keeps moisture in the concrete for the first days
• Advice to keep de-icing salt off concrete during its first winter

Mostly newer, mostly owned

Much of Cold Springs' population arrived in the 2000s, when it more than doubled. Homes from that period are now around twenty years old, which is about when the first round of concrete issues appears. Typical requests include:

Wider driveways. QuickFacts lists 3.13 people per household, and more drivers usually means more cars, so side pads and full widenings are common requests.

Bigger patios. The small slab at the back door is rarely large enough. We extend it or replace it, often with stamped concrete in a stone pattern.

Side yard walkways. A path along the side of the house keeps people out of mud and snow on the way to the backyard.

Slabs for sheds and hot tubs. A level base that will not heave in winter.

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Laying out a patio for sun and wind

Cold Springs sits beneath Peavine Mountain, near White Lake. When we lay out a patio, sun and wind count as much as size. A west-facing slab soaks up afternoon heat in summer, while a slab in the path of the wind is more usable tucked in the lee of the house in spring and fall. We can mark a few shapes on the ground with paint so you can stand on them before anything is poured.

Repairing what is there

Even twenty-year-old concrete can need attention. We seal open cracks to keep water out of the base, replace sections that have sunk at the garage or the street, and rebuild steps that have pulled away from the house. We only quote what actually needs work.

One thing we check on almost every Cold Springs driveway is the joint where the garage slab meets the driveway. Snow melts off cars in the garage, runs out across that seam and refreezes overnight. Over the years the edge chips and the gap opens up. Cleaning the joint and filling it with a flexible sealant keeps water out of the base, and it costs far less than replacing the panel later.

Timing a pour at elevation

At this height, the season for exterior concrete is a little shorter than on the valley floor in Sparks. Concrete needs to stay above freezing while it gains early strength, so for late fall pours we watch the overnight forecast closely and keep insulated blankets on hand. Most homeowners here find spring through early fall the easiest time to plan a project.

County rules

Cold Springs is in unincorporated Washoe County, so county requirements apply, and we confirm them for your project before scheduling. Call (775) 278-6129 to book a visit in Cold Springs, NV.