Did you know that, if a concrete driveway is installed correctly., it can last up to 50 years?
Driveways are one of those sections of home maintenance that people would often rather forget about — and with good reason. It can be a hassle! Not only that, but it can be difficult to decide what option is best for your home. What should you keep in mind? Here are a few important points.
Suggested Width
The recommended width for a single-car driveway is eight to nine feet; for a two-car driveway, 15 to 18 is appropriate. So long as you just have typical passenger cars, the vertical width of the pavement should be about four inches, while heavier cars may require five (if, for example, you have a snow plow). Sloping in areas that receive precipitation is necessary for preventing pooling — driveways should slope at least one eighth inch per foot in order to ensure proper drainage.
Why Hiring Experienced Concrete Contractors Matters
What causes concrete to crack after it?s poured? An experienced contractor should know the appropriate compressive strength, air content, slump and aggregates that should be used for your concrete. The specifications put forth by the American Standard for Testing and Materials specification ASTM C-94 is intended to promote uniformity and prevent issues with cracking concrete, etc. Curing is also an important part of the concrete driveway process. Curing should begin as soon as possible after the concrete has been poured, and should last for three to seven days depending. This can also avoid issues like sunken driveways (caused by improper pouring, or water pooling).
Is Asphalt Ever the Right Decision?
There are many reasons people may choose asphalt. It?s a fairly popular product, after all — about 350 million tons of asphalt are poured every year. Asphalt is popular because it is inexpensive and fairly easy to install,. The downside of asphalt driveways is that it doesn?t last as long and will likely need to be reset after five to 10 years.
What if I Notice Cracks in My Concrete?
If you notice that there are problems right now with your concrete, you’re going to want to have a contractor come to look at it. A small crack can quickly turn into a big problem, and problems like sunken driveways can lead to water pooling near the foundation of your home — not good!
