These are the questions that did not fit on our other guide pages. If yours is not here, call (678) 736-8780 and ask.
How long does a concrete driveway last?
A concrete driveway that is built well commonly lasts several decades. We will not put a number on yours, because it depends on the base, the thickness, the drainage and what drives on it. In Atlanta, the driveways that fail early are the ones where runoff got under the slab or a tree was too close. The ones that last sit on compacted stone and shed their water cleanly.
Can I pour concrete myself or should I hire someone?
You can do a small, flat, low-risk job yourself. A driveway or a large patio is another matter. Once the truck starts unloading you have a short time to place, level and finish several tons of material, and in Georgia heat that time is shorter. Mistakes cannot be undone. Preparation is where a careful owner can do well, and finishing is where most first attempts go wrong.
Can I pour a small shed pad with bags from the store?
Yes. A small shed pad is a sensible bagged-concrete project. Dig out the topsoil, compact a few inches of crushed stone, build square and level forms, and mix every bag to the same consistency. Have a helper and a rented mixer, because hand mixing a whole pad is slow enough that the first part sets before the last is placed. Check your city's rules on shed size and distance from the lot line first.
I poured my own walkway and it cracked and sank. Should I redo it or hire someone?
First work out why it failed. If it sank, the base was soft or thin, and a redo on the same ground will sink again. If you are happy to dig deeper, compact stone in layers and add joints every few feet, a second attempt can succeed. If the walk is long, sloped or has steps, or you would prefer not to do it twice, have it priced. We replace owner-built walks regularly.
How do I get oil stains out of concrete?
Deal with oil stains quickly. Soak up fresh oil with cat litter or an absorbent, then scrub with a concrete degreaser and rinse with hot water. Old stains need a poultice cleaner that draws the oil up as it dries, and may take more than one go. Deep stains seldom vanish completely. A sealed driveway is much easier to clean, as the oil stays on top.
Can I stain an old concrete floor?
Yes, provided the surface is clean and bare. Old sealers, paint, glue and oil all block stain. Acid stains react with the concrete and give a mottled, natural look. Water-based stains and dyes give more even color and a wider choice. Any stain shows every patch and crack, so the floor will have character and will not look uniform. Indoor floors are sealed or waxed afterward.
A customer tripped on the concrete outside my business. Am I liable?
We are not able to tell you whether you are liable. That is a question for your insurer and a Georgia attorney. What we can say is practical. Report it to your insurer, photograph and measure the spot, and repair the hazard promptly. Raised joints, broken curbs and potholes at the entrance are usually quick repairs, and a dated record of inspections and repairs is worth keeping.
Can sections be replaced while my business stays open?
Yes, in most cases. The work is split into phases so one entrance and part of the parking stays open. Pours can be timed for your quiet days, and walk areas are fenced and signed with a safe route around them. Bear in mind that new concrete needs about a week before vehicles, so each phase takes its section out of use for that long.
Can you pour a basketball pad or sport court?
Yes. A basketball pad needs an even surface with a slight fall for drainage, a light broom or fine finish that grips without scraping skin, and joints placed away from where the ball is bounced most. Flat yards are scarce in Atlanta, so a court often means cutting into a slope and building a low wall on one side. No published price was available to us for sport courts, so they are quoted after a site visit.
Do earthquakes, frost or salt air matter for concrete in Atlanta?
Not much. Atlanta is far inland, so salt air is not a factor. Frost reaches only a shallow depth, and deep frost footings are a northern need. Earthquakes are not a regular design concern for home flatwork here, and the building code deals with structural design. The forces that count in Atlanta are water, clay, slope, roots and summer heat.
How do I get red clay stains and green algae off my concrete?
Wash both off before they set in. Red clay leaves an orange iron stain that plain water will not move once it dries, so use a cleaner sold for rust or clay stains on concrete and follow the label. Green or black growth on shaded slabs comes off with an outdoor concrete cleaner and a pressure washer on a wide fan tip held well back. Sealing afterward slows both down.
The real price for your property comes from a free on-site estimate and a written quote. Call (678) 736-8780 or send us a photo of the concrete.