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In general concrete driveways have a life span of about 30-40 years depending on the location and weather conditions. Many factors contribute to your driveway's durability, such as; proper subgrade, adequate reinforcement, correct concrete thickness, and a host of other outside elements.
If you are starting to notice signs that it may be time for a concrete repair or an entirely new installation, this article will explain three signs that your concrete driveway may need to be replaced.
There is no exact science as to what constitutes as a crack that is too deep, too wide, or too long for repair. It is always best to defer to a qualified concrete contractor and get their opinion on how best to repair or replace the damaged concrete. If the contractor finds that the cracks cannot be repaired, then replacing the damaged concrete becomes the only option. In some cases, just the damaged section can be torn out and replaced. In others, it may be best to replace the entire drive if grading is an issue.
Thankfully there are a few different techniques that can be used to fix this. The first method is mudjacking. This is where concrete or another strong material is pumped under the sunken slab to provide support and to level out the piece. This process isn't always the solution in which case a replacement is the only option available.
The upheaval caused by tree roots causes water to pool on the concrete and not drain properly. This can lead to unneeded freezing and thawing in the winter months, which can cause the concrete driveway to deteriorate much faster than an undamaged driveway. How much does a Concrete Driveway Cost?
New concrete driveway costs can vary greatly based on different variables. Ordinarily, you will see a brand new driveway installation run from $8 to $18, depending on the many decorative concrete and coloring options available. There's also the option of doing the standard grey drive, which will be towards the lower end of the purchase price range. Stamped Concrete Driveways There's been a recent uptick in decorative concrete driveway installations nationally. Home and business owners have started seeing all the great design features that stamped concrete can produce, which explains why there's been such an increase in decorative concrete. The options are almost endless for the different patterns and textures which can be reproduced using the concrete method. Stamped concrete driveways have become a cool solution for homeowners since the pros far outweigh the cons. The upkeep and maintenance are typically far lower than that of the actual materials. How much is a concrete driveway? Several factors determine the cost of fresh concrete driveway installation, but overall, the calculations are relatively simple, consisting of only materials and labor. It's suggested to seek the most qualified and expert driveway builders in your area. An improperly poured driveway can result in much increased future costs that may be avoided by finding a respectable contractor. If there are any decorative components to the concrete driveway, then this will affect the final cost, but the primary ones are: Size: On average, in the USA, the conventional 2-car driveway is around 16x40 ft, which adds up to 640 sq ft. When a homeowner is proactive, they can have the dimensions in hand when calling a builder and get a rough estimate of this price based on the concrete contractor's rates. Decorative Concrete: Depending on the plan and desired outcomes, decorative concrete costs can vary widely. There are hundreds, if not tens of thousands of unique software for decorative concrete. When contemplating prices for decorative concrete, you generally get what you pay for, and because decorative concrete will be in the higher end of the purchase price range, its always best to find an expert contractor. Terrain: The lay of this land and surrounding landscape can also be a consideration to take into account. Some driveways require particular grades and drainage specifications or could be located in steep or hilly terrain. These circumstances all need to be considered when calculating the cost of a new driveway. If heavy vehicles or machinery will be operating, it is recommended to pour a thicker pad to account for above-average traffic. |
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