Concrete is the most popular material for driveways because it is extremely durable and doesn’t require much maintenance. While concrete is generally a more expensive choice when compared to gravel and asphalt its durability and maintenance requirements make it worth the extra cost. It is on the lower side of the monetary spectrum when compares to brick and cobblestone that are created with pavers. It can even be stamped or colored for a more aesthetically appealing driveway!
Concrete is sometimes referred to simply as “cement.” But, this isn’t true. In actuality, cement is just one of the ingredients that are put together to form concrete. The other three ingredients are water, crushed rocks, and sand.
Typically, concrete driveways last with little to no maintenance for up to fifty years, depending on how well they were built and how they were maintained over the years. To install a concrete driveway, grass in vegetation is removed in order to ensure a stable foundation for the driveway. Then, wooded forms are installed around the perimeter of where you want your driveway to be placed. Then about four inches of gravel is laid down and compacted. After these steps, the concrete is ready to be poured into the mould that has been created. Several people are needed to complete the process in a short amount of time, as they have to fill all of the mould with wet concrete. Welded wired or rebar is used for reinforcement. Expansion joints are inserted, and the concrete is smoothed to create the driveway surface.
When this is completed, the more important part of the concrete driveway installation process begins. Concrete doesn’t simply dry, it goes through a chemical process that hardens the material and makes it strong. This is called curing. Ideally, the weather would be about seventy degrees. If the weather is cooler, the driveway will take longer to cure. In hot weather, the surface has to be dampened to slow the curing process.
It is important to wait at least a week before driving onto the new driveway, to ensure the curing process has completed. Keep heavier vehicles off for a longer period of time- at least a month. Sealing can be completed after two months of the concrete driveway installation.
People thing of concrete driveways as being virtually maintenance free, but keeping the driveway sealed and clean will ensure that it lasts for much longer than expected. Sealing is typically done annually, and the best time to do it is in the fall months.