Getting a brand-new concrete driveway transforms your home’s curb appeal and eliminates frustrating potholes. To help protect your investment, you’ll have to alter your daily traffic patterns and reroute your routines around the active work site to help protect your investment.
How do homeowners need to prepare before the concrete workers show up?
Here’s where a little proactive planning goes a long way. Take these steps before the heavy equipment rolls into your Farmington Hills neighborhood sets up the installation team for a perfect pour:
- Move Vehicles Early: Park your vehicles down the street before the crew blocks your exit. Once demolition starts, your garage and driveway are off-limits.
- Locate & Mark Buried Sprinkler Heads: Heavy machinery rolling across your yard can crush these underground lines. Make sure to flag irrigation heads near the edge of the pavement.
- Clear Exterior Staging Pathways: Move loose lawn ornaments, potted plants, and basketball hoops away from the driveway zone so the workers have an unobstructed path to maneuver their tools.
- Warn Your Immediate Neighbors: A driveway tear-out means large trucks and loud machinery will be idling in the street. Giving your neighbors a quick heads-up about the temporary noise keeps everyone happy.
Rea & Son Cement Co. is here when you’re ready to fix that old, cracked driveway and boost your home’s appearance. Call (734) 425-7966 or contact us online to get a heavy-duty concrete driveway that stands up to heavy use!
Navigating the Construction Phase of Your Concrete Driveway
Managing your daily routine while a contractor replaces your driveway takes some patience and understanding. The noise, heavy equipment, and property access during teh demolition and pouring stages leads to a durable new driveway free of cracks and flaking.
What should you expect while your new concrete driveway is actively being installed?
This is common questions among homeowners ask and for good reason. While professional concrete contractors do everything they can to minimize disruptions, you and your family will have to accept these things during the construction phase:
1. Expect High Noise Levels
You can expect the construction crew to use heavy-duty jackhammers, concrete saws, and other tools to break up your old pavement. This creates a lot of noise and vibration that can be noisy and distraction to anyone inside your home.
If you work from home, have young children, or noise-sensitive pets, it’s best to plan ahead. We recommend scheduling your indoor activities around this highly active project phase.
2. Curb-Side Access for Delivery Trucks
A successful installation relies on logistics on the street. Massive concrete mixing trucks and equipment need to park at the foot of your yard to do their jobs. This includes pouring fresh cement.
Your street front becomes a busy center of industrial activity. Make sure you clear your curb line of parked cars, delivery boxes, and trash bins to accommodate heavy vehicles backing into your driveway.
3. Temporary Loss of Front-Door Access
Depending on your home’s layout, your front walkway is usually a part of the pavement installation. Since the fresh mix can’t handle any weight right away, you’ll need to use a side door, back porch, or garage access point.
Plan your foot traffic paths ahead of time to help keep your shoes clean and the wet surface smooth and unmarked.
4. Security Around the Wet Slab
Once the finishing crew finishes, the work site is blocked off with caution tape. It’s important to keep household visitors, mail delivery carriers, and curious pets away from the property perimeter.
Even a minor step onto a freshly finished surface leaves permanent structural indentations. These flaws ruin the aesthetic of your brand-new investment.
The Curing Timeline for a New Poured Concrete Driveway
Looks can be deceeiving, especially when it comes to brand new driveways. Even if the structure looks dry, you can’t walk or drive on it right away. is done, it doesn’t mean you can walk or drive on it. The interior of the slab is undergoing a month-long chemical process to reach its maximum weight-bearing capacity.
How soon can you start using your new concrete driveway?
Here’s a guide to what you expect when your new driveway is poured and leveled by the top concrete contractor serving Farmington Hills:
- First 24-48 Hours: During this time, your driveway can only withstand light foot traffic. While you can carefully walk to your front door, keep bikes, skateboards, strollers, and pets off the slab during this time.
- Days 3-6: By now, the concrete is getting stronger. You can do yard work around the area, walk across its surface, and put lightweight items near it. Just don’t drag heavy garbage bins or sharp metal tools across its finish.
- Day 7-27: Now it’s safe to drive your cars and SUVs onto your new driveway. Avoid hard turns on the tire, especially when your vehicle is in park, and stay clear of the outer edges of your driveway.
- Days 28: Now, your driveway achieves its ability to handle maximum structural loads. Keep heavy delivery trucks, moving vans, and loaded dumpsters out of your drivesway until then.
By now, you know what to expect from a new driveway and are ready to contact a local concrete contractor to do the job.
Rea & Son Cement Co.: Serving Metro Detroit Since 1976
No one wants a cracked driveway dragging down their home’s value. When you’re ready to finally fix this problem the right way, you’ll want to call Rea & Son Cement at (734) 425-7966 or contact us online to schedule an estimate!