|
Quality Concrete Driveway Construction There must be a recognition on the part of the
contractor and/or owner that a concrete driveway of good quality requires intelligent effort and faithfulness to details all along the lines. The production of aggregates, proper design of mixes, proper mixing and
transporting, proper placing and finishing practices and special care in protection must be observed to achieve a long life durable slab.In the winter, it is important to keep snow and ice from sitting on the driveway
for long periods of time, otherwise the saturated surface will be more susceptible to damage during freeze/thaw cycles, especially if salt drips onto the slab from parked vehicles. Concrete driveways that are
exposed to freezing and thawing in the presence of moisture and/or salts are susceptible to scaling. Even air entrained concrete may scale if precautions are not observed. Concrete needs to be protected from
the harsh winter environment. New driveways that are poured in the late fall and early winter are especially susceptible to scaling as they do not have adequate drying time.
To provide durability and scale resistance, air entrained concrete should have:
- A low water/cement ratio (about 4" to 5" slump)
- Proper finishing with no extra water or excess bleed water worked into the surface or over-finished.
- Adequate drainage with a slope of 1/8" or more per linear foot.
- Proper curing, a minimum of 7 days moist curing at or above 50° F or a good quality curing compound.
- A minimum 30 day drying period after moist curing if concrete is placed in the fall or after design strength is reached.
- Proper sealing, first two years and every other year after.
- Proper care and maintenance. Snow & ice should not be allowed to remain on slab for long periods of time.
Never use any deicing salts or chemicals as they attack and destroy concrete surfaces. Driveways in our area where deicing salts are heavily used should be sealed
each fall or at least every other year. An economical sealer is a 50/50 mixture of boiled linseed oil and mineral spirits that can be applied with a pressure
sprayer or paint roller. A better choice may be a premium grade, solvent based, penetrating acrylic sealer. |
