Concrete Driveway

Both concrete and asphalt are similarly priced however asphalt has a shorter life span and isn’t as mold-able as concrete. Asphalt is about 10-20% cheaper. Asphalt cracks more easily than concrete and only last about 10-20 years at best. While concrete can last up to 50-80 years if taken care of. Concrete can handle larger vehicle driving on it due to the higher psi rating and hardness. Asphalt is more flexible and usually only put down 2 inches thick. A concrete driveway can be a large investment for your home so why not pick the option that has the best strength and durability.

This step is usually pretty quick, but this is were we make all the last-minute decisions before it is set in stone. We place concrete forms around the perimeter of the slab and set them to grade.  This is where we will add in the rebar or wire reinforcement. After we complete this step you should be able to clearly see the layout of your driveway. If you see something you want changed now is the time to do it. Once the concrete is poured it’s hard to change.

The concrete truck arrives, and we will begin pouring the concrete into the forms smoothing and leveling everything as we go. This step usually seems very hectic because we are racing to get everything perfect before the concrete cures. We usually have only an hour before the concrete cures. Our expert finishers will work the concrete to achieve the desired smoothness and finish. Once the concrete has cured we will leave it for a day or two depending on the temperature. Concrete is very fragile for the first couple days and we do not recommend you walking or driving on it for at least a day.

The next day we will come back and remove the forms and clean up the job site. This is also when we will cut control joints if they are needed. We will bring in dirt if needed to backfill the edges and make things look smoother. This is when grass can be planted to insure there are no erosion issues in the future.

The costs of your concrete driveway can vary based on the specifics to your slab. The main variables are thickness, finish type, and how close can a concrete truck get to the site. Will we have to get a pump to pump the concrete to the site? The typical thickness is 4 inches and can be anywhere from $5 a square foot to $9 a square foot. We may need to grade and level the ground beforehand this increases your cost as well as any removal of old concrete or asphalt.

Driveways usually crack because of the trees around them. Over time the roots start to extend under the concrete/asphalt and apply pressure in the foundation of the driveway. One way to tell if a tree has roots under your driveway is to look up at the widest limbs and see if they extend over the driveway. A good rule of thumb is if the limb overhangs the driveway it also has roots under it. Once the crack has formed water can seep into it and create voids and washouts further weakening the foundation. Do not pave over an old cracked driveway. The cracks will return within a couple years. You can try those crack fillers  at your local box store but in our experience they won’t do for a long term solution. The best thing to do is completely remove the old driveway and any roots that are under it. If there are many trees around the driveway we recommend installing a root barrier that prevents the roots from growing under the new driveway. This will insure your driveway lasts for many years.

Most likely not, concrete trends to take on the color of the dirt around it. If you have red Georgia clay it can stain your driveway red. The fresh concrete has not been dyed by the surrounding dirt and usually is nearly white after sealer is put down. You can count on it looking very different. If aesthetics are an issue its best to replace the whole driveway or stain/ paint it.

Most of the time paving a driveway will give you a return of at least equal to the cost of it being installed. Most cases you’re going to get more in return though. The amount varies depending on the overall look of the driveway and whether it has additional parking added. Being able to park extra cars in the driveway has major benefits. Things like the material used, the width, and the previously mentioned neighborhood can all affect the added value of the home.