Commercial Driveways: Four Critical Precautions for Installing a Concrete Surface
Old and cracked driveways can compromise the appeal of your commercial property and might even affect your business image. Therefore, if your driveway is showing signs of disrepair, you should think about replacing the structure with a concrete surface. Concrete is a strong and durable material, so it is suitable for high-traffic environments. In addition, the material can be appealing, especially if you utilise colouring, stamping and texturing techniques. Here are simple tips for installing a perfect concrete driveway.
Acquire Your Supplies
You should think about your material and equipment needs during the planning stage to avoid inconveniences. If you overlook some items, your project might be more costly than expected. In addition, a lot of inconveniences could occur during the project. You should begin by choosing a concrete mix or purchasing the supplies needed to prepare a custom mixture. It is also important to find the right equipment for preparing and pouring the concrete on the ground. Discuss your specific needs with your chosen commercial concrete contractor.
Consider the Foundation
It is important to prepare the ground with care before pouring the concrete. You should note that it is possible to build a driveway with a simple and shallow base, but the results will not be ideal. If the foundation is not deep and steady, there is a high risk that the driveway will crack prematurely. This will necessitate repeated repairs. For the best results, you should excavate the ground and place subgrade materials like crushed rock. This will prolong the life of the structure and improve its performance.
Plan for Drainage
Poor drainage is one of the common causes of premature concrete driveway failure. If stormwater cannot flow efficiently from your driveway, there will be stagnation and even flooding during rainfall. The accumulation of water will not only pose a risk to the road users. It will increase the risk of concrete cracking due to the absorption of the moisture. Therefore, you should discuss the drainage plan with your contractor to keep your driveway in good condition and maintain its safety levels.
Cure before Use
It is important to allow the concrete driveway to cure adequately before commissioning the surface for use. Therefore, think about the right strategy for managing your commercial traffic during the period of construction. You should also ensure that the correct curing methods are employed. For instance, you will need to keep the surface moist to prevent rapid curing and subsequent cracking. The ideal curing period will depend on each surface, so consult your contractor.