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Concrete Driveway FAQ
Concrete is considered to be the longest lasting and most durable material for driveways. Although asphalt driveway typically costs less, it requires more maintenance and it’s lifespan is considered to be about half that of a concrete driveway. A concrete driveway will also increase the value of your home more than asphalt and give you much more curb appeal. Taking all this into consideration, concrete will give you the best return on your investment.
Concrete made up of ready mix concrete, and chemical additives to help with the curing process. Different chemical additives are added throughout the year, depending on weather, to assist in the curing process.
The surface color or appearance of concrete may not be perfectly uniform. There are a number of factors that can influence this. These conditions are normal and do not affect the quality or durability of your new concrete.
- If your job is large enough to require more than one truck load of concrete, there can be a few shades difference between truckloads. This is normal and not controllable by us or the ready mix producer.
- Ground moisture content can have an effect on concrete color.
- In cold or rainy weather, we must cover the concrete with plastic or insulating blankets. The color of the concrete may vary where the plastic or blanket contacted the concrete.
- Applying any type of sealer will change the final color
- As the concrete cures, it can change shades.
- Depending on the size/width and layout of your concrete installation, the broom finish applied to the surface to provide surface traction may need to be applied in sections. You may notice shading differences between each broomed area, as well as at the point where the two broom sections meet. There may also be a difference in apparent texture from one section to the next. This is normal and will become less apparent or completely disappear as the concrete ages and wears.
As you drive on your new concrete driveway, your tires may leave dark marks on the
concrete. These marks are actually rubber from your tires that have rubbed off onto the driveway. These are most apparent when you turn on the driveway. These marks are normal and cannot be prevented. Gas, oil and other petroleum will stain your new concrete. Petroleum stains are difficult to remove because concrete is porous and they will soak into the concrete below the surface.
Concrete Driveway Q&A
How long can a concrete driveway last?
– With proper care and maintenance, a concrete driveway can last up to 30 years.
How long is the installation process for a Concrete Driveway?
– The demolition of the existing driveway will be done on Day 1. We will have our concrete crew return within the next 1-3 days to pour the concrete and finish the project. Keep in mind that concrete projects are weather dependent and we cannot pour concrete in the rain. Rain may result in a delay in the completion of your project.
Do I need to be home during the demolition and installation processes?
– You DO NOT need to be home for the duration of the project. However, we will need to have the garage door open to allow enough room for the crew’s and their equipment. If you do not plan on being home, we ask that you provide an access code, leave a side door unlocked, or set out a garage door opener.
How much rebar is used in my Concrete Driveway?
– We typically space the rebar for concrete driveways 4-6 feet apart unless otherwise specified (for extra rebar there would be an additional cost).
How long do I have to wait after installation to use my new Concrete Driveway?
– After 24 hours, you can start walking on your new concrete driveway. Wait 7 days to start driving and parking on the new concrete driveway.
How can I prevent cracking in my Concrete Driveway?
– Cracking in concrete is inevitable. We will saw-cut control joints in the concrete driveway to help prevent cracking. By doing this, we hope that cracking will occur in the control joints where they won’t be noticeable.
What about the layout for Control Joints in my Concrete Driveway?
– We will saw-cut the expansion joints in concrete driveways between 6 -10 feet apart.
The Concrete Driveway specs in the bid say, “Brush Finish, Cut Joints, Cure & Seal if Needed.” You are definitely going to seal, right?
– If the temperature is above 60 degrees F then we apply a “cure and seal” solution. It helps the concrete to cure properly. We recommend doing a final concrete seal 28 days after the concrete is poured. Here is a link for a final concrete sealer that we recommend (we do NOT provide the service of applying a final concrete seal): https://www.brockwhite.com/product/1-0900301
– All you have to do is clean the concrete with a broom/hose/pressure washer, let dry, and brush/roll/spray the sealer (rolling is the best technique) just like you do with paint. Please note that any tire markings/stains/etc on the concrete will be trapped in. It is very important to apply a final concrete sealer to help protect the concrete from any salt that WILL be tracked in from the roads during the winter.
What can I use on my driveway for ice in the winter?
– DO NOT use any salt or deicers on your new concrete. These products can produce a chemical reaction with the concrete that will cause physical damage. Use of these products will void the Warranty. We recommend to use SAND, this will not cause any harm to the new concrete.
– It is typical that some salt will track in from the city streets and you will see this towards the bottom of the driveway and other high traffic areas.
– Plows/Snow Blowers/Shovels – When you use a method of snow removal that has a steel cutting/scraping edge, it will leave behind tiny amounts of steel on the surface of the concrete. These small amounts of steel will oxidize and rust, leaving rust visible on the surface of the concrete. This rust is difficult to remove.
Are there any “hidden fees” for my Concrete Driveway Project?
– There are no hidden fees. If there are any changes in the final invoice, they will be discussed with the homeowner. These changes will often be from adding on to a project during the construction process. Please note that this does not include the price of any permits that are required by your city.