Concrete Driveways & Sidewalks
Your home driveway sees everyday traffic and needs to be able to stand up to some level of wear and tear. In addition to constant exposure to heavy rain and sunlight, car and foot traffic may begin to take its toll on the surface of your driveway with time. How long the driveway and sidewalk will be able to withstand heavy use like this depends largely on the type of material you use as well as the installation considerations. Concrete is one of the most versatile and durable materials used for driveway and sidewalk installations. This strong material requires only minimal maintenance to remain strong and beautiful for many years. Concrete driveways installed by a skilled team of professionals like Shelton Stamped Concrete & Pavers have a lifespan of at last 25 years or even more with proper maintenance.
Benefits Of Concrete Driveways And Sidewalks Concrete is one of the most popular materials for constructing driveways and sidewalks for several reasons. It is a versatile material and this makes it a perfect fit for any type and style of building. The possibility of decorative and stamped concrete surfacing options further increases the possibility of designs, colors, and patterns that can be achieved with concrete. It is a very affordable material both in terms of the upfront installation cost and the cost of future maintenance. Concrete Driveways And Sidewalks Installation If you have decided to go for concrete as your choice material for your driveway and walkways, then you have to ensure that the installation is handled by professionals. The installation process of poured concrete driveways and walkways is simple. It begins with the preparation of the surface by removing the grass and vegetation and stabilizing the soil base on which the concrete will be installed. Elevations are adjusted during this stage of the process to ensure proper drainage. The next step is to frame out the surface using high-quality materials and expansion joints made of redwood or treated wood. Rebars on risers are used based on local size and spacing requirements. The concrete is mixed and about 3000 Psi of concrete is poured and finished. Proper Concrete finishing Concrete finishing is typically a 3-step process. This involves leveling or striking off the concrete surface with a screed to make it uniformed. The concrete surface is the floated before the accumulation of bleed water. The final step of the process involves the application of a simple broom finish to improve traction or stamping in the case of stamped concrete driveways. Some of the common mistakes that can occur during the process of finishing your concrete driveway surface include overworking the surface or carrying out the finishing process with the bleed water still present. Concrete Sidewalk Repairs, Restoration, Installation and Maintenance Concrete is generally low maintenance and with proper construction, it will last for several years with only occasional maintenance here and there. However, with time, traffic, and exposure to the elements, your concrete driveway or sidewalk may experience some form of damage and need to be repaired. Cracks may appear that need to be filled or the entire surface might need resurfacing. We may also need to apply sealants or polymer-based resurfacing where needed. We can customize your concrete driveway and sidewalk repair and maintenance based on your specific needs to prolong the life of your driveway for several years. |
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