Concrete driveway construction is becoming more popular than an asphalt driveway, and other paving materials. Also known as concrete driveways, they offer different driveway options that make them unique. Here, we'll be explaining what goes into the concrete driveway construction process, the essential steps, and the finishing requirements.

The Concrete Driveway Construction Process

The contractor needs to appropriately facilitate the concrete driveway construction to achieve the desired quality, finish, driveway surface, and durability. The professional installation and materials used in the building determine the performance and beauty of the concrete driveway. The key steps for proper concrete driveway building are as follows.

1. Proper Subgrade Preparation

The subgrade must be prepared to ensure soil composition and compaction uniformity. Achieving this requirement helps provide adequate support to the loads over the entire driveway. This helps achieve:

• Even concrete slab thickness

• Prevention of cracks in slabs

• Achieving uniform slab thickness

If soft spot areas are found during the preparation, it is recommended that they be replaced with a good material like crushed rock or gravel. A geotechnical engineer must be approached to get a clear picture of the soil conditions and soil properties of the site under consideration. Rammers or vibratory compactors can perform the compaction process.

2. Selection of Proper Concrete Mix

The use of the correct concrete mix avoids random cracking problems. Some of the base material requirements are:

• A 28th-day concrete compressive strength of 4000psi is adequate for most climates.

• Air-entrained concrete (Air content of 5 to 10%) helps improve the durability and workability of concrete.

• A slump value of at most 5 inches is not preferred.

• The majority of the aggregates used in concrete driveway buildings are coarse. They vary in size from ¾ to 1.

High-performance concrete is the best option for driveways prone to high traffic, extreme weather conditions, and chemical exposure. It is slightly more expensive than a standard mix design, but the increased durability and lower maintenance requirements compensate for the extra cost.

3. Placement of Reinforcement

Most light-duty driveways use plain concrete. Concrete and reinforced concrete can provide a solid base and strengthen the driveway's structural integrity. In high-traffic locations, reinforced concrete driveways are the best option. The presence of reinforcement does not prevent cracks. However, the rebars keep the cracks together if they form and prevent further spread. The reinforcement can be placed in a concrete driveway using a wire mesh or a grid pattern.

Blocks can be placed under the rebars to support correctly locating the reinforcement at the center of the concrete driveway. Nowadays, synthetic fibers are gaining popularity as reinforcement because they help prevent shrinkage cracks to a large extent. They are not utilized as structural reinforcement but as secondary reinforcement with primary steel reinforcement.

4. Concrete Placement

The thickness used significantly impacts the concrete driveway's structural capabilities. A concrete driveway's minimum thickness is 4 inches. An increase of 4 to 5 inches boosts structural capacity by 50%, depending on the driveway's standards and requirements. The edges of the concrete driveway are provided with an additional thickness of 1 to 2 inches, as they are mostly subjected to heavy loading.

5. Proper Finishing of Concrete Driveways

Special attention must be given throughout the concrete driveway finishing process since most errors occur due to overworking or operations over bleeding water on the surface. The steps for completing concrete driveways are as follows:

A uniform surface is achieved by striking off excess concrete with a screed,

The concrete is floated with a magnesium bull float or a piece of wood, which helps prevent the buildup of bleeding water.

A broom finish is recommended if no plans are made to apply a smooth or ornamental finish to the surface.

Further finishing with a steel trowel is unnecessary.

It would be preferable if the concrete surface were sealed prematurely so that the bleeding water would not evaporate.

6. Proper Placement of Joints

The use of control joints at appropriate spacing helps to prevent random cracking. The standard spacing for a 4-inch-thick concrete driveway is 10 feet. Random cracks are not a structural failure issue but affect the driveway's beauty.

Avoiding joint patterns with triangular or rectangular sections can prevent random cracks. The control joints must be one-fourth the thickness of the driveway slab. Isolated joints must be provided wherever the driveway meets sidewalks, other pavements, or garage floor slabs. Always plan the joints before beginning the driveway building.

7. Adequate Drainage Facility

An ideal drainage plan for new driveways helps to prevent standing water. Concrete driveway drainage can be provided in two ways:

Sloping the concrete driveways toward the roadway. The side facing existing structures must be at a high elevation.

If sloping is impossible, a drain must be placed at a low spot in the concrete driveway. The water is then diverted away.

8. Adequate Curing

Most concrete driveway construction must include the curing process. Curing is equally vital as the other stages stated above. Once the finishing is complete, the surface must be quickly cured. Curing can be accomplished as follows:

• Liquid Membranes

• Continuous Sprinkling

• Covering with wet blankets

• Covering with Plastic sheets

A 7-day curing period is typically suggested for concrete driveway construction. Negligence during the curing process diminishes strength by 50%. Concrete driveway construction has numerous advantages over traditional driveway construction methods. Concrete driveways also offer additional benefits due to their durability.

Advantages of Concrete Driveway Construction

Concrete, used to build bridges, high-rise buildings, and structures, clearly demonstrates its outstanding properties when utilized as a driveway material. The primary benefits of concrete driveway building are:

1. Quality Construction

Most driveway construction provides a first impression. Concrete adds quality to appearance. It provides a clean and professional look.

2. Durability

A well-made and well-maintained concrete driveway can last for decades. Concrete is a superior structural material that can withstand heavy traffic loads, wear and tear, and other climatic exposures. The sole requirement is a well-planned concrete construction for mix design and building joints based on site constraints. This ensures long-term integrity.

3. Offers High Versatility

Concrete driveways are ideal for any landscape design or building plan. They are suitable for residential and traffic use and add to the property's aesthetic value. Concrete driveway installation and the architectural options it provides provide versatility.

4. Less Maintenance

High-durability concrete driveways require less maintenance. Weeds, paver movement, and other issues are rare with concrete driveways, as with other pavement types. Concrete driveways require little or no maintenance. If there is any occurrence of stains over the concrete, there are solutions to remove them easily. The maximum maintenance required is to clean the surface once a year with a suitable stain cleaner, which makes the surface perfectly clean. Concrete driveway construction also suggests applying sealants to protect the surface from stains and other damage.

5. Costs

The initial cost of building a concrete driveway is competitive; however, the need for upkeep affects this cost. A good concrete driveway can last 20 to 25 years with zero maintenance, bringing considerable cost savings over time. This is not true for other driveway-building options.

6. Variety of Options

Concrete driveway construction provides a variety of design options to start with. Depending on the application, a slab look, paver look (stamped concrete), or polished effect (polished concrete) can be obtained. These options give the driveway an authentic appearance.

Maintaining Your New Concrete Driveway

Cleaning & Sealer

Proper driveway maintenance is always a good idea. You should inspect for cracks and stains regularly; weather conditions will directly impact it. A new driveway should be resealed every two years. When the finish starts to indicate signs of wear, apply a sealant. Visit your local hardware or supply store. Consult for recommendations. Always adhere to the manufacturer's guidelines while applying sealant.

Remove Stains

Oil, gasoline, grease, and other spills should be cleaned up as soon as possible. These stains can be cleaned with a power washer or cleaning supplies. When power washing, do not use too much power and remove the concrete from the top. I recommend using an EPA-approved cleaning solution.

Avoid Deicing Chemicals

Chemical deicers may cause surface damage to your concrete driveway. These chemical products include ammonium nitrates and sulfates. This may cause harm to the concrete surface. Some chemicals provide deicing without harming the concrete surface. You should avoid using deicers during the first winter after installing your driveway. New concrete is more vulnerable to the damaging effects of salt. Always refer to the product specifications and apply as directed.

Heavy Loads

Although concrete is a long-lasting paving material, residential driveways have limitations. Exercise caution when dealing with heavy vehicles (moving vans, dump trucks, etc.) and massive construction equipment.

Reliable Driveway Construction Contractors You Can Count On

Do you need reliable concrete driveway construction for your home or property? Please reach out to us today! We have years of experience constructing high-quality and durable driveways in Central Texas for years--our satisfied clients can attest to that! We're looking forward to working with you!