How Do You Avoid Cracking A Concrete Driveway?
Concrete driveways are a good investment for the homeowner and, when properly installed, will often last longer than 30 years with a minimum of maintenance; this can add up to significant savings over time. Concrete driveways handle wear and tear better than asphalt. Only steel and natural rock offer durability comparable to concrete. Quality materials, installation and proper maintenance are all keys to avoiding cracks in a concrete driveway. Prepare your driveway with the proper subgrade material, making sure the backfilling is done properly by the contractor; any loose soil should be removed and replaced with well-compacted materials such as slate. Check the weather forecast before having your concrete driveway laid—subfreezing temperatures that occur within the first two days of installation can cause cracking, scaling and loss of surface materials (spalling). Calcium chloride is sometimes added to the concrete mixture for cold-weather curing, but it is best to avoid cold tempera
