A concrete driveway costs from $8 to $18 per square foot, depending on decorative colors and finishes. While a plain gray concrete driveway costs between $5 and $7 per square foot to install. Concrete is ideal for getting the look of stone or pavers, without the high cost.
How soon can you backfill a concrete driveway?
Let the concrete cure for at least a week before backfilling (28 days is best). Place and compact the backfill carefully in partial lifts—don’t dump it all in at once. And if you have to backfill before the floor system is framed, support the walls first with sturdy diagonal bracing.
Do you backfill before pouring concrete?
Ideally it is best to backfill foundation walls after the concrete has had 28 days to cure, the basement slab has been poured, and the first level flooring framing has been installed.
What do you backfill a slab with?
The top 6 to 12 inches of the backfill under the slab should be filled and compacted with well-graded gravel or crushed material. “Walls are typically backfilled with the removed earth or with a granular, open-graded material,” says Tull.
How long should concrete cure before putting dirt on it?
24 to 48 hours – after inital set, forms can be removed and people can walk on the surface. 7 days – after partial curing, traffic from vehicles and equipment is okay. 28 days – at this point, the concrete should be fully cured.
How long does 4 inches of concrete take to cure?
While it only takes around 28 days to cure concrete, drying can take months. The general rule of thumb is that concrete takes about 30 days to dry for every one inch of slab thickness.
Can I drive on concrete after 3 days?
Although concrete will harden soon after pouring, it’s still susceptible to damage from weight during the first four weeks. Wait at least 24 hours before allowing foot traffic, including pets, on a newly poured sidewalk or slab, and don’t drive a vehicle on a new driveway for at least 10 days.
How often do you water new concrete?
5-10 times per day
To put it simply, the goal is to keep the concrete saturated during the first 28 days. The first 7 days after installation you should spray the slab with water 5-10 times per day, or as often as possible. Once the concrete is poured the curing process begins immediately.
How long should you stay off a new concrete driveway?
Leave the warning tape in place to let delivery vehicles and others know that they need to stay off your concrete. After One Week – After 7 days, it’s OK to drive on your new concrete with normal passenger vehicles. Avoid driving near or across the edges of the driveway, though, since those areas are still weaker.
Is it OK if it rains after pouring concrete?
Light sprinkles of rain can cause no damage to freshly prepared concrete structures. However, heavy rain showers and thunderstorms cause the surface to become soft and flaky. In such situations, use a plastic sheet for covering the surface or structure.
Can you pour concrete in winter?
Experts agree that the best temperature to pour concrete is between 50-60 °F. The necessary chemical reactions that set and strengthen concrete slow significantly below 50 °F and are almost non-existent below 40 °F.
How long does concrete need to dry before it rains?
How long does concrete take to dry? Once the concrete has been finished (between 4-8 hours after pouring) and has set hard enough for walking on, the effects of rain should be minimal.
How cold is too cold to pour concrete?
Experts agree—the best temperature to pour concrete is between 40° – 60°F. When temperatures dip below 40°F, the chemical reactions that strengthen concrete slow down and can lead to weaker concrete.
What does hot water do to concrete?
The results of this research show that high water temperature used in concrete production will reduce the strength and quality of concrete. Presence of hot water in concrete mixture leads to defects and failure in the concrete in the hardened state.
What is the best time to pour concrete?
Many people assume the best time to pour concrete is on a warm, sunny day. In actuality, however, the best time to pour concrete is an overcast, humid day in the mid-50’s to lower 60’s. If it’s too hot, too much water can evaporate from the concrete too quickly.
