Working with concrete seems like it should be really easy, but there is a lot that can go wrong with it. While there are some things that you can do to make sure that your next concrete project goes smoothly, the best thing that you can do is get a professional involved.
While it might cost a bit more money and you will have to schedule a time to meet up and work with them, concrete professionals often have years of experience working with concrete and can recognize potential problems with your concrete project and fix them.
You can try doing a concrete project on your own, but there is a good chance that you will have to redo part of it down the road. As an overriding mistake to avoid, do not work alone. Plan on working with a construction worker or contractor and you will end up saving yourself a lot of time and money in the end. With that in mind, here are some common mistakes you should avoid when installing a concrete driveway.
While there are dozens of ways to mess up a concrete project, here are some of the most common that you may come across, and how you can avoid them during your next project.
Running Out of Concrete
When working with concrete inexperienced homeowners often underestimate the amount of concrete that will be needed for a project. With something like a driveway, you will need a large amount of concrete as well as a way to mix and pour it.
However, many people when planning on how much concrete to use will only consider 2 dimensions, instead of 3 dimensions. For example, for a concrete driveway, you will need enough concrete to cover the length and width of the driveway, but you will also need enough concrete to ensure that it is between 4 and 5 inches thick.
If you are not careful you can easily run out of concrete in the middle of your project and have to restart the project from the very beginning. So when you are buying concrete ere on the side of buying slightly too much. You do not want to run out of mixed concrete mid-project, and if there is an emergency or a patch job that needs to be down it’s always better to have a little bit of concrete left over.
Not Doing Proper Prepwork
When working with concrete the prep work is almost more important than the concrete itself. By doing plenty of preparations before the project officially starts you can avoid a lot of headaches and mistakes. During these preparations is also an excellent time to bring in a professional. The professional can point out things that you have missed, answer any of your questions, and ensure the project site is properly prepared.
For example, with a driveway, you should always have a concrete specialist stop by and review the site. They will check the ground is stable enough to lay the concrete slabs, that there is enough drainage to prevent water from being trapped under the new driveway, and that the concrete forms are fashioned securely.
When pouring concrete a mold is used to hold it in place until it can be harder. Since a driveway is often at a slope extra care is needed to ensure that the mold is sealed tight and will not let any concrete leak out. Otherwise, the driveway could be ruined before it even solidifies.
Rushing Your Concrete Project
You might be tempted to get your concrete project down as soon as possible. However, this is the quickest way to make a mistake and have to redo the entire concrete project.
Once the concrete is poured into the mold it will need to be leveled and textured quickly. Once this is done you should avoid stirring or touching the concrete which can cause it to break down.
Keep an eye on the weather. Concrete needs 3-4 days to dry in moderate temperatures. Concrete that is poured while it is too cold or hot outside will not set properly and may ruin the new driveway. Once the concrete is dry it will need another week or so to cure. This curing process helps to build a protective coating on the concrete and makes it more durable.
It may be a bit hard, but do not rush your concrete project. You won’t be able to save much time, and you may end up taking more time to finish if you make any of these mistakes and have to repeat your concrete driveway.
When the concrete has been poured you may be wondering what types of concrete driveway finishes are offered in Idaho Falls. The most common types of finishes are polished and broom finishes.
These are the popular concrete driveway finishes offered in Idaho Falls for two different reasons. The smooth finish is excellent for a smooth driveway or garage that can easily be sealed.
The benefits of broom finishes for concrete driveways in Idaho Falls are a bit different. Broom finishes are similar to what is done on sidewalks, a broom is run over the still-wet concrete in order to add texture and make it less slippery.