Concrete Contractors in Ada Township, MI

Ada Township lies about 3 miles east of Grand Rapids, and the concrete contractors who work in Ada Township deal with bigger lots, longer driveways and more varied ground than in the city. The township covers about 37 square miles, with the Grand River and the Thornapple River both running through it and meeting near the old village. Its population grew from 9,882 in 2000 to 14,388 in 2020. Almost 89 percent of the township is part of the Forest Hills census-designated place, which also takes in the northern half of Cascade Township.

Some of the oldest settled ground in Kent County

In 1821, Rix Robinson bought a former trading post at the junction of the Grand and Thornapple rivers. Wikipedia describes him as the first permanent colonial settler of Kent County. The township itself was organized in 1838. The Ada Covered Bridge, built across the Thornapple in 1867, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is one of the few covered bridges still standing in Michigan. Ada is also the corporate home of Alticor and Amway.

That long history means a few old homes and farmsteads, but most Ada houses are newer, set on wooded or rolling lots built out over the last several decades.

Long drives and slopes

With an elevation of around 758 feet at the township center and river valleys cutting through, many Ada lots have real grade changes. A driveway that drops toward the garage, or climbs from the road, needs more planning than a flat city drive:

• We set the slope so water runs to the edges or a drain, not into the garage
• We thicken the apron and the steepest sections, where tires work hardest
• We use a coarser broom finish on slopes for traction in snow and ice
• We cut control joints at spacing that suits the slab width

On very long driveways, we often suggest pouring in stages or combining a concrete apron and parking area with another surface farther out. We talk through options at the estimate.

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Patios with a view

Many Ada homes back onto woods, ravines or water, and the patio is where owners spend their summers. Stamped concrete in ashlar slate, flagstone or wood-plank patterns is a frequent request, often with a colored border and steps down to the yard. On sloped back yards, a patio may need a short retaining edge or steps to fit the grade. We set the patio a step below the door and slope it gently away from the house, so rain and snowmelt do not reach the foundation.

Trees and roots

Wooded lots bring shade and character, along with roots that lift walks and patios over time. When we replace a heaved walk, we look at whether the line can move slightly away from a large tree, and we suggest talking with an arborist before cutting any large root. Leaves and needles also stain concrete if left on the surface, which a good sealer helps to resist.

Bigger projects, clear scope

Ada projects are often larger than the average suburban job: long drives, multi-level patios, walks that wrap the house. We put every part of the scope in writing, including excavation depth, base thickness, concrete thickness, finish and joint layout, so you can compare bids on the same work and know exactly what you are paying for.

Weather and roads

M-21 (Fulton Street) runs across the southern part of the township. The Grand Rapids area averages about 75 inches of snow a year and around 138 nights below freezing, so we use air-entrained concrete for all exterior work and recommend skipping rock salt during the first winter.

Call (616) 727-8573 to set up a visit. We check with Ada Township about what your project needs before we schedule.