It is often the forgotten investment. Siding gets painted, flooring waxed, and furniture stain-proofed. Meanwhile, the concrete driveways, sidewalks and patios in the northern Midwest are subject to some of the harshest weather conditions.

Yet, with a little bit of care, your choice of a concrete driveway will last you decades. This brochure is written to help you maximize your return on your wise investment in ready mixed concrete.

PLAN, PREP
Plan - Before you start, the quality of the completed concrete project always begins with good planning. Spending time at this stage is always a wise decision that can help to eliminate possible problems later on.

Hiring a Quality Contractor - A good source for information on contractors may be your local ready mixed concrete producer. A directory of producers may be found at the WRMCA web site, www.wrmca.com. Receive bids from at least three contractors and be sure each bid is based on the same specifications. Also be sure to check references.

Getting the Proper Mix Design - Your local ready mix producer and your contractor will assist you in ensuring the proper concrete mix is pre-ordered. This mix should include:
Air-entrainment - All exterior concrete subjected to freeze/thaw environments must be air-entrained concrete. Simply put, air entrainment puts microscopic bubbles in the concrete which serve as relief valves when water in the concrete freezes.
Pounds per square inch (psi) - This is a measurement used to describe the compressive strength of concrete. The colder the climate the higher the psi should be for exterior concrete. The higher the psi the more expensive the concrete is, but the difference is not dramatic and certainly less expensive than a failed driveway. A typical Wisconsin driveway should be 4,500 psi.

Subgrade Preparation - All subgrades should be uniform in firmness, grade, and dampness. The driveway should be sloped away from the home for proper drainage, with a minimum slope of 1/8” per foot. If the driveway will be used by cars only, the slab should be 3 ½ to 4” thick. If it will be used by both cars and light trucks or SUVs, then the slab should be 4 ½ to 5 ½” thick. If you aren’t sure, make the
slab thicker.

Surface Texture - A broom finish for exterior concrete is ideal. It provides a slip resistant surface and helps ensure the contractor is finishing the slab properly and not overworking it. A smooth “basement” finish on exterior concrete may be durable, but greatly increases the chances of durability problems. The surface may also have an exposed aggregate look or be colored and stamped - www.wrmca.com has additional information on colored and stamped concrete.

PLACE
Patience - Quality contractors understand that placing concrete in hot or cold weather requires different and additional steps than placing concrete in more temperate conditions. Following these steps are critical if the driveway is to reach its potential. A homeowner can also assist in ensuring a successful concrete driveway project. Concrete needs, on average, 28 days to reach a strength where it can withstand the rigors of freezing and thawing. Be leery of putting in a driveway in the late Fall or early Spring. If it can’t wait until a more temperate time, expect to pay more for the driveway and be cautious of the contractor who is not charging more. Your local ready mix producer may be a likely source of gravel for a temporary driveway to get you to Spring.

Jointing - This is critical. Control joints on a 4” driveway should be placed a maximum of 10 to 12’ apart. The sections of all slabs need to be as square as possible. The joints should be 1/4 the depth of the concrete.

Curing - Curing is ensuring that the cementitous material in your driveway has enough moisture and the proper temperature to react and bring your concrete to full strength. Be sure that curing is a part of the procedure done by your contractor. Curing is one of the final, but vital steps to ensure quality project. If concrete is not cured, you may end up with only 50% of the desired strength, which may not be durable enough to last through winter. There are several methods of curing. The most common is the applications of a compound sprayed onto the surface of the concrete immediately after finishing that prevents the concrete from drying prematurely.

CARE
There are a few simple steps that will help ensure the concrete driveway reaches its full potential:

Sealing - Water repellent concrete sealers can help to prevent surface defects from cold weather by keeping water from getting into the concrete slab. New concrete should dry for 30 days after proper curing. A quality concrete sealer helps maximize protection and lengthens the time between applications. Your local ready mixed concrete producer may be an outstanding source for sealers and for further information. Some sealers, primarily designed for industrial applications, darken or yellow the concrete. Ask if your sealer discolors the concrete and follow the manufacturer’s directions.

Use Caution with Deicers - While concrete is the most durable product available for your home, proper care is a requirement for long-lasting beauty and wear. The use of deicing chemicals can be detrimental to a new concrete surface. Here are a few guidelines:

Avoid Using Deicers the First Year - Concrete continues to gain strength. While some deicers, such as salt, do not chemically react with the concrete, they increase the number of freeze/thaw cycles the concrete must go through. This has the potential of damaging the concrete until it has reached its maximum strength.

Don’t Use Deicers With Ammonium Nitrate or Ammonium Sulphate - NEVER use deicers containing ammonium sulphate or ammonium nitrate. These chemicals are often packaged and sold as deicers, but they will rapidly disintegrate concrete. Common garden fertilizers containing these two chemicals, or urea, may cause disintegration as well. Be cautious of products that claim to “be safe for use on concrete.” Avoid any deicing material the first year if possible while the concrete is gaining strength.

Sand is Safe - Use Sand Anytime. One of the few safe materials to use to make the concrete surface skid resistant is plain sand. This can be purchased at several locations, frequently at your ready mixed concrete producer in your area. Always put safety before the appearance of your driveway, patio or sidewalk.

A SUCCESSFUL CONCRETE PROJECT
Your local ready mixed concrete producer is an important part of your concrete project team.
In addition to providing a quality product, the producer has the expertise to ensure the proper mix design and placement for your project.

Please visit our web site at www.wrmca.com and find a ready mixed concrete producer in your area.
Or, you can call us at 800.242.6298 or e-mail us at info@wrmca.com.

Good luck on your concrete projects and enjoy your driveway, sidewalk and patio for years to come.

Concrete - How Ideas Get Built.

Proper Winter Care Concrete

Concreting in Hot & Cold Weather

Six Steps to Quality

Contractor Listings