Demolition Contractors Richmond Va – Reliable & Affordable

You’ll find hundreds of online DIY tips for pouring your own concrete driveway, stairs or porch, and an equal number of contractors promising quality work. Hiring a qualified contractor, however, is key to getting a long-lasting driveway installed or your existing driveway repaired. The team at LHC Services has the experience and expertise to address the following issues:

• Grading – uniformity and stability. Starting with a solid, compacted soil base topped with tightly packed crushed material gives your driveway a stable foundation. This consistent depth means your driveway slabs will have an even thickness, will be level and less susceptible to shifting. The slope of your driveway is part of this initial step. A minimum slope of 1/8-inch per foot will eliminate standing water which can contribute to cracking or crumbling.
• Driveway cracking – causes and prevention. Concrete strength is directly related to the amount of water used during the pour. Thinner concrete mixes will shrink and crack. Mixes containing fly ash or water-reducing elements will provide a stronger concrete that can be poured without needing additional water.
• Control joints – role and placement. Concrete needs to have joints or gaps to allow the material to flex as temperatures change. Joint distance is determined by multiplying the depth of the concrete pour by a factor of two or three. If your driveway is 4-inches deep, for example, joints should be placed every 8 to 12 feet. Isolating joints are needed between the driveway and your garages, sidewalk or other existing pavement.
• Reinforcing – an option for heavily trafficked driveways. Wire mesh or steel rebar in a grid pattern can be placed before the concrete pour to add more strength to your driveway.
• Finishing – process and timing. Getting the right appearance for your driveway involves leveling the concrete to obtain a uniform surface, smoothing it at the right time, and applying a finish for additional traction.
• Curing – the final critical step. Immediately after finishing, concrete needs to be cured to develop strength and durability. If concrete dries too quickly, it will be weaker and more likely to crack. Curing means keeping an adequate amount of moisture on the driveway, either by leaving the forms in place, covering it, or applying a curing epoxy resin to the surface.