Concrete Driveway Benefits and Drawbacks
Concrete is a reasonably most popular material for driveways. Concrete slabs are most durable and long-lasting, and they need very little maintenance. Because of its strength and durability, concrete is a very cost effective option for the large portions of paving. As a road surface, concrete is more costly than gravel and asphalt, but it is much less costly than a driveway made of brick, cobblestone, or concrete pavers—and it outlasts them all.
Concrete can be coloured and stamped to produce a unique and attractive surface, despite the fact that plain concrete might be fairly drab in appearance.
Concrete as a Construction Material
Concrete is sometimes wrongly referred to as cement, while cement refers to only one of the components that make up concrete. Concrete is a composite material made up of many types of stone aggregate held together by a water-lime-based binder, most often Portland cement. Cement is a fine powder formed from limestone and clay that has been pulverised. The aggregate size in the concrete mixture might vary based on the concrete's intended application. Concrete is often made with gravel-sized aggregates for structural applications, however finer sands can be utilized for finer work and smoother finished surfaces. A blend of aggregate ranging from gravel to sand-sized particles is commonly used in driveway slabs, sidewalks, and other paving surfaces.
Concrete is a pourable slurry that may be moulded into any shape desired when it is first mixed. As the concrete cures, it gradually hardens. Although it is hard enough for most uses after a few days of curing, the hardening process can take months or even years.
Concrete is fortified in various applications by embedding steel metal reinforcing wire or rebar within the slab. Other ingredients, such as agents that improve strength or delay drying time, might be added during the mixing process.
Installation
Although a homeowner may pour a concrete driveway himself, it is really difficult job. Because soon the concrete is poured, it begins to harden quickly, time is of the essence. As a result, it is typically left to specialists who can quickly excavate, construct forms, pour concrete, and finish the surface. A professional crew can complete the project in a few days, whereas a homeowner will spend a week or more just excavating and preparing the site, followed by another long day pouring and finishing. Having a crew of eager and capable assistants on hand is important for the homeowner brave enough to pour his own concrete.
The process of laying a concrete driveway begins with the removal of grass and other plants, as well as the establishment of a solid soil base. After that, wood forms are placed along the edge of the driveway. A 4-inch-thick layer of class-5 gravel is added, graded, and compacted. Just above the packed gravel base, reinforcement material in the form of a steel wire grid or metal rebar is set in a criss-cross pattern throughout the region.
The concrete pour may now begin on the driveway. This usually entails a team of several people working swiftly to fill the forms with wet concrete as it arrives from a ready-mix vendor, and then to finish the surface as quickly as possible. The finishing crew should also make sure there are enough expansion joints—grooves cut across the wet surface at regular intervals to allow the slab to shift and crack in predictable spots. Without expansion channels, natural settling and movement can cause a slab to break randomly.
Floating the concrete is an important aspect of the finishing process. The finishing team utilizes a range of instruments to work the surface of the concrete after it has been poured and leveled, bringing the cement and finer particles to the surface through capillary action to create a beautiful, smoother surface. The quantity of floating dictated how smooth the surface would be, and it takes a lot of skill to do it well because too much floating would weaken the surface and cause it to flake, while too little will give the slab a harsh, industrial appearance. A trained crew can also apply decorative treatments and colors to the slab's surface at this point.
After all of the preceding labor is completed, one of the most critical aspects of a concrete driveway installation begins: curing. Concrete does not dry out; instead, it goes through a long chemical reaction that hardens and strengthens it. It's critical that the curing process takes place under ideal conditions. The weather is the first step. The ideal curing temperature is at 70 degrees, with a damp but not wet surface. Curing will take longer in cooler temps. In hot weather, the surface should be moistened with water on a frequent basis to speed up the curing process.
Wait at least a week before driving on the new driveway and a month before parking large cars on it. Before sealing the concrete, give it a month or two.
Maintenance
Many people believe that driveway concrete repair is not mandatory, but it is important to keep the pavement clean and sealed to ensure that it lasts as long as possible. A good scrubbing with a hose and sharp brush typically takes care of the cleaning, and a layer of concrete sealant adds protection. At least once a year, sealer should be applied. If you live in a snowy area, the best time to seal a driveway is in the fall to ensure that it will withstand road salts and hard winter conditions.
Costs and Longevity
Concrete driveways can last anywhere between 25 and 50 years, depending on how well they were built and how well they were maintained. A professional crew will charge $4 to $10 per square foot to install a basic concrete driveway over a gravel base. The national average is around $6 per square foot, so a 16 x 38 driveway will set you back around $3900. If you choose a coloured or stamped finish, however, these expenses can nearly quadruple. If a previous slab needs to be demolished, expect to pay a little extra.
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