This gives it the most professional look when trying to mimic slate, even more so than stencils. Slate is very beautiful but often too brittle or expensive to use for an entire driveway, so slate-style concrete gives you the durability without any of the maintenance concerns. Once poured and dried, the slabs are sanded down so that the aggregate is visible.

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Large, wide cracks call for masonry patching compounds that a professional can apply with a bucket and trowel instead of a tube or caulk gun. Benjamin Hansen is a Landscape Contractor and the Owner of Artscape Gardens, a boutique landscaping company in Los Angeles, California. With over 12 years of experience, Benjamin specializes in transforming properties into aesthetic, functional, and drought-tolerant oases. Artscape Gardens covers all areas of the C-27 landscape contractor classification. Other materials to account for in your estimate include gravel for the base, fabric underlayment, installation labor, delivery charges, sleeving materials, rebar or mesh wire, and any equipment fees.

WILL A Concrete DRIVEWAY STAND UP TO THE ELEMENTS?

Typically, you’ll be able to drive and park on a new concrete driveway seven days after placement. By that time, your concrete will have attained about 70% of its potential strength. Still, you’ll need to take some precautions until the concrete has reached full strength. Before driving or parking heavier vehicles on the driveway, like RVs and large trucks, you should wait at least 28 days. Also avoid driving near or across the edges of the driveway, since those areas are more vulnerable to damage. The cost can vary greatly depending on the design or decorative finishes, but you can expect to pay from $3 to $10 per square foot for driveway resurfacing. If you are laying a driveway for the first time, it requires extra effort to prepare the site for pouring.

What is the cost of maintenance for a concrete driveway?*

This study also compared the compressive strength properties of binary blended low-carbon concrete according to the replacement ratios, and the applicable range of mixing proportions was derived. Once mixed, concrete is typically transported to the place where it is intended to become a structural item. Various methods of transportation and placement are used depending on the distances involve, quantity needed, and other details of application. Large amounts are often transported by truck, poured free under gravity or through a tremie, or pumped through a pipe. Smaller amounts may be carried in a skip , or wheelbarrow, or carried in toggle bags for manual placement underwater.

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Your ready-mix supplier can also make the concrete for your driveway using waste byproducts, which reduces the consumption of raw materials and keeps waste out of landfills. Fly ash, ground blast furnace slag and silica fume-all byproducts from power plants, steel mills and other industrial processes-are commonly used as partial cement replacements. You can also use recycled aggregates in the concrete mix and reinforcing steel that has a high recycled content. Of course, to ensure that your concrete driveway will look good for many years to come, there are important steps your driveway contractor should follow during installation. How well your driveway looks and performs long-term is largely related to the quality of workmanship and materials that go into it.

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Curing

While small hairline cracks may be normal and can occur during the curing process, larger or more significant cracks indicate that the concrete is not yet fully cured or has experienced structural issues. If you notice any cracks, it is advisable to consult with a professional to determine the cause and appropriate course of action. Remember, allowing the concrete ample time to cure and harden is crucial for its long-term performance and durability. It is better to be patient and wait for the recommended waiting period rather than risking potential damage to your new driveway. If you are unsure about the appropriate waiting period for your specific concrete driveway, it is always recommended to consult with a professional. An experienced concrete contractor or engineer can assess the condition of the concrete, consider the relevant factors, and provide informed advice on when it is safe to start driving on the new driveway.

Concrete dust released by building demolition and natural disasters can be a major source of dangerous air pollution. Concrete is a contributor to the urban heat island effect, though less so than asphalt.

Concrete is a strong construction material that can bear a great deal of weight, but it can crack over time as a consequence of shifting temperatures. Read our guide below for tips on how to repair cracks in concrete slabs that comprise your concrete driveway, sidewalk, concrete patio, garage floor, or basement.

At colder temperatures, the curing time will lengthen significantly or curing may stop altogether (see Why Is Cold Weather a Problem When Pouring Concrete?). Ideally, schedule your concrete driveway to be placed when temperatures will range between 60° to 80° F.