How to create a concrete driveway?

Do you want to make a crack-free and strong concrete driveway for your home? Creating a concrete driveway is not a difficult task, as many people would think. Here are pro tips to help you in forming edges, smoothing, curing, and leveling while building a concrete driveway like a pro.

 
 
 
  Excellent  
    
 Based on 45 reviews 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Vern Milholen 
 
2024-03-19
 
 
  
A & P was the first company we called and were excellent to work with. Professional in planning and execution. Clearly capable of small and large jobs; these are the guys to call if you need concrete work done right!
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Terry Lamb 
 
2024-03-16
 
 
  
Was prompt showed up when he said they would.done in a timely manner.and came back out and fixed some imperfections we found.all in all very work.
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Kim Salinas 
 
2024-03-12
 
 
  
they did an excellent job ! They showed up when they said they would and it looks great! 👏
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Hazel Michaud 
 
2024-02-26
 
 
  
Did a great job, many thx mike!!!
He did a great job with our concrete driveway resurfacing and epoxy garage floor restoration.
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Kelly Phillips 
 
2024-02-25
 
 
  
awesome guy and workmanship!
They completed our stamped concrete driveway and acid stained it to perfection.
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Reggie Goins 
 
2023-12-19
 
 
  
Mike and his crew did a great job repairing our rock seawall on Lake Hamilton. I had a quote in less than 24 hours and 3 days later the work was complete.  Thanks for the great job!
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 William Gregory 
 
2023-12-16
 
 
  
Mike was very professional and got my slab poured and finished on schedule.  He oversaw the crews and helped himself.  Excellent communication throughout the project!
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Crystal Johnson 
 
2023-12-14
 
 
  
I don’t normally use a “trades” business unless given their name by referral, so I took a chance with A & P Concrete. Mike and his crew were professional, showed up on time, and did what he said he would do to perfection and at a fair price. (They poured and raised a floor inside of a house we purchased that had a step down room so that all the floors were the same level.) They have my business on all future concrete related projects! Highly recommend…..5 ⭐️s.
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Randal Pelt 
 
2023-11-18
 
 
  
Mike and his team were very professional. I am very happy with the work they did. Highly recommend.
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Tracy Wilson 
 
2023-11-18
 
 
  
Very professional
On time , best price
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
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Set the forms

One of the most common problems with a form is that it can collapse or bulge under the wet concrete’s weight. To avoid this, create strong forms by using thick boards. If your forms extend more than the below ground, you should pack some soil against it. Whereas, if the forms extend over 6 inches above the ground, minimize the spacing between different stakes and brace them with each other.

Form curves using Masonite

Hardboard is used to form curves as it is less expensive and flexible. Hardboard requires extra reinforcement for preventing collapsing or bulging of the forms due to the wet concrete weight. For belowground forms, you have to place the stakes that are not more than the 3 feet. On the other hand, place the stakes 16 inches apart, if forms are above ground. When creating curved sidewalks with parallel sides, build one side and then use a gauge board to create the other side.

Stakes the forms tight

Stakes that are above forms can create hurdles for the screed board, and without these obstacles, the screeding concrete is solid enough. Before you start pouring, you need 5 minutes to cut off the protruding stakes. If your form tops are near the ground level, ensure that the screed board does not drag against the level of the ground.

Create a solid base

To make a crack-free concrete, a well-drained and firm base is important. If you want to make a solid base, use a compacted soil with the various inches of base material like gravel. And, the perfect base depends on the soil and climate conditions. The perfect idea is to pack a soil with the plate compactor, but remember if your soil is sandy, don’t use the gravel.

Vibrate the bubbles

While pouring the concrete, air pockets can get trapped against forms, and it may lead voids into the vertical surfaces. Generally, this does not matter when you are creating driveways or sideways. But on stairs, walls, curbs, or aboveground, it looks like a piece of Swiss cheese. To prevent this, you need to use a 2*4 and plunge along with the forms. Then, tap the sides with the help of a hammer along with all forms.
Avoid using too much water
There is no need to add extra water unless your concrete is too much dry. Carefully measure the water quantity, and if you add too much water, it can weaken the mixture. Extra water can help you make your work easier, but it may make your slab weak.

Floating your edges

Once screeding concrete is complete, it’s time to float. Floating the stones in the mixture pulls the cement and makes the surface smooth as a cream so that you can easily broom or trowel the surfaces without snagging gravel chunks. When creating the driveway or sidewalk, get a helper who can begin floating before the entire screeding is complete. However, if water puddles form on the surface after you screed, you have to delay the floating and wait until the water puddles disappear completely.

Deep cut the control joints

The grooves in the concrete are known as control joints as they control the cracking. The grooves create straight breaks and not the ugly break patterns. These control joints can limit the number of cracks that may appear later. You can make the control joints by plowing the grooves into the wet concrete just after floating, or you can cut them with the saw the next day. Also, you can make a joint with the help of a groover in wet concrete, which is easier and creates less mess.

Curing Concrete

Water is important for the chemical process because it hardens the concrete. Once you make the concrete hard enough that you can’t make impressions with your fingers, spread the plastic effectively. Eliminate the wrinkles by stretching the plastic and put the weight on edges to avoid moisture escaping. When you notice the drying signs, lift the plastic and sprinkle more water. Depending on the time of the year you should keep the driveway damp for a a couple days upto a week, whereas, for patio or sidewalk, keep it damp for at least 2 – 3 days.

 A & P serves as a Concrete contractor Little Rock arkansas to Hot Springs, Ar we always provide free estimates and quality work.