Frequently Asked Questions About Concrete Driveways
So you’re doing some research about installing a new driveway, but don’t know what questions to ask your concrete driveway contractor. As the concrete driveway experts, you have come to the right place! We have gotten every question you can think of, from sprinkler head preparation to landscaping around your new driveway, so we put together this page of Frequently Asked Questions to help!
Will my concrete driveway be a different height than my yard?
The elevation of the concrete cannot be determined by the existing landscape elevations. Weaving together the existing landscape’s elevation and the new concrete’s elevation is extremely important to our installers. The most important thing is proper water flow on the newly installed concrete. In some cases, the homeowner may wish to raise or lower the existing landscape to accommodate the newly poured concrete. Adjustments to existing landscaping is at the discretion of the homeowner and not a service provided by Cornerstone Concrete, LLC.
What should I do about my in-ground sprinklers?
Any sprinkler heads that are adjacent to the driveway must be marked with paint, wood stakes or wire flags. If we are replacing your driveway “as is”, the sprinkler heads do not need to be pulled out. If we are extending your driveway and you wish to reuse the sprinkler heads/lines, please pull them out 1’ beyond the new driveway extension. Upon completion of your new driveway, it is the responsibility of the homeowner to arrange for the irrigation system to be installed.
When can I walk and drive on my new concrete driveway?
24 hours after the pour you are able to walk on the driveway. 10 days after the pour you can resume regular use of your driveway.
When will you replant the grass seed? (Optional)
Dirt and seed will be placed after the new concrete is cut. Watering is the responsibility of the owner.
Why is my concrete driveway two different colors?
Concrete takes approximately 28 days to reach its full, cured strength. It is normal for the concrete to look blotchy or spotted during this time. Finished concrete will be light gray in color. The concrete will weather and darken over time. There is no industry standard for concrete color.
Why is my driveway stained (leaf stains)?
Leaf stains are normal and extremely common. They can occur at any time. We have not found a product/chemical that effectively removes these stains. Most often these stains will disappear after winter.
How do I get oil stains off my driveway?
While oil stains are inevitable on a driveway, it is possible to make them less visible and in some cases, remove them all together. After cutting your driveway we will leave you a small gift bucket that includes an effective, safe oil stain remover called Seal Green. This is our preferred product for combatting those difficult oil stains.
What should I do in the winter to take care of my driveway?
No salt, please! We provide you with a traction aid sample called Cherry Stone Grit™. You can also purchase this at your local Fleet Farm, Walmart and other retailers.
Learn more about prepping your concrete driveway for winter in our blog.
Why does my driveway look rough (broom lines)?
The surface of a Cornerstone Concrete driveway will always have a broom surface. We pull a soft concrete broom over the surface of every driveway we install to allow for traction as you walk across your driveway, making it safer through the season changes. Without this technique, the concrete becomes extremely slippery when wet.
Does my drain tile need maintenance?
If your drain tile is at a low pitch, it may be subject to freezing. To aid in preventing freezing, fill a nylon or tube sock full of rock salt and put it down the plastic adapter we hooked up to your gutter, or a heat tape may also be installed. You will have to disconnect it at the seam in order to do this.
Will the sealant lock in dirt and stains?
No it will not. We use a penetrative siloxane sealer approximately 1 month (+/-) after your project is poured. Siloxane helps prevent the infiltration of moisture into the surface of the concrete. This sealer can cause water to “bead” on the concrete surface. We recommend that you seal your driveway every 3 years. We have two different sealing packages available for purchase. Please contact the office for details and current pricing.
If your concrete contains e5 no sealing is needed. E5 is a micro silica based curing agent put into the concrete when it is mixed. It cures the concrete better than any membrane or water cure method that is on the market today, to the point of making the pore structure of the concrete that sealer would normally fill so tight that sealer is no longer required.
Can I drive a boom truck/heavy equipment on my driveway?
Your driveway is rated for 4500PSI. Do so only at your discretion. As a general rule of thumb a driveway is not for commercial vehicles.
Why do I have puddles on my concrete driveway?
While it is our goal to have any/all water roll off your concrete surface, it is unfortunately not possible. There are imperfections on the surface during placement of the wet concrete. If the imperfections are 1/100th of an inch lower in any given area, the concrete surface will form a puddle/bird bath. Keep in mind, these puddles/bird baths will evaporate quickly.
What can I do about animal/pet prints?
From time to time, pets or other animals (dogs, cats, worms, squirrels, etc.) will leave a print on freshly poured concrete. Once the broom finishing is complete, it is not possible to touch up/repair these prints. It is our practice to leave as is, which we have found to be less visible than attempting to “fix” that small area.
How to prepare for a concrete driveway installation
Please make sure the following is complete prior to the crews arriving:
- All vehicles removed from the garage
- Landscaping that is within 2ft of the driveway should be moved or may result in damage
- Standard concrete trucks are approx. 14ft in height. Any tree branches that line the driveway should be trimmed accordingly or will be at risk of damage
- A hose should be hooked up and accessible
- All vehicles parked on the street should maintain a 30ft distance from the driveway during installation
- If you will not be on the premises during installation, please make arrangements to have your garage open or provide the office with your garage code
- There is an inevitable splash/splatter of concrete when it is poured. Please remove items in the garage that could be subject to this “splash zone”
Ready for the Residential Concrete Driveway Experts to Come to You?
While we would love to pour concrete driveways all over the country, unfortunately, our trucks and crews can’t travel too far away.
The Cornerstone Concrete business started in St. Paul, Minnesota, and has since expanded to Wisconsin. Check out our local service areas to see if we can bring our crews out to you.