Although it is possible for a homeowner to pour a concrete driveway themselves, it is quite hard work. Time is a critical element because once the concrete is poured, it begins to harden very quickly. For this reason, it is usually left to professionals who can excavate, prepare forms, pour the concrete, and finish the surface quickly. A professional crew can do the entire project in a couple of days, while a homeowner takes usually a week or more for excavation and preparation alone, and another very long day for pouring and finishing. For the homeowner intrepid enough to pour his own concrete, having a group of willing and able-bodied helpers on hand is essential.
Installing a concrete driveway starts with removing grass and other vegetation and ensuring a stable soil foundation. Wood forms are then installed around the perimeter of the intended driveway. A base of class-5 gravel at least 4 inches thick is added, graded, and compacted. Reinforcement material is added just above the packed gravel base, consisting of a steel wire grid or metal rebar laid in a criss-cross pattern across the area.Concrete is not a very DIY-friendly material for large projects. Pouring a concrete driveway involves very hard labor, so for most people, professional installation is the best option.Concrete driveways are very strong. Well installed with the proper base and reinforcement, they will stand up to the heaviest vehicles you are likely to drive.
One of the most important parts of a concrete driveway installation begins after all of the above work is done—the curing. Concrete doesn't dry out; rather, it undergoes a slow chemical process that hardens and strengthens the material. It is very important that this curing process occurs under the best of circumstances. That begins with the weather. Ideal curing weather is about 70 degrees with a surface that is kept damp but not wet. In cool weather, curing will take longer. In hot weather, the surface should be dampened regularly with water to slow down the curing time.
Concrete Services of St. George is your one stop shop for all your concrete needs. Installing concrete is a skill that takes years to learn. Concrete done right not only looks great by itself but it also makes your property look fantastic. On the other hand concrete done incorrectly looks horrible and can cost a lot of money to tear out and replace. When you call us you can rest assured that your concrete driveway cost will be the most competitive and best installed concrete that you can get. Read More: https://www.cretestgeorge.com
