Most driveways and patios are poured in one day after one to two days of preparation. You can walk on the slab in a day or two and drive on it after about a week. Weather in Atlanta shifts those times in both directions.
How long does concrete take to cure?
Concrete gains most of its strength in the first week and is treated as fully cured at about 28 days. It hardens by a chemical reaction with water, not by drying out. Keeping a new slab damp or covered for the first days makes it stronger, which matters a lot in hot weather.
How long before I can walk on new concrete?
Usually one to two days. Stay off the edges for longer, since they are the weakest part early on. Keep dogs, bikes and patio furniture off for several days so nothing marks the surface.
How long before I can drive on new concrete?
Wait about seven days for a car or pickup. Hold off on heavy vehicles such as moving trucks, loaded trailers and delivery trucks for close to a month. For the first weeks, do not park in exactly the same spot every day, and do not turn the wheels while the car is standing still.
How long does it take to pour a driveway?
The pour and finish take one day for most driveways. Before that come one to two days of work: removing the old slab, grading, placing and compacting stone, and setting forms and steel. Add the week before you can drive on it, and plan to park on the street for about ten days. Permits, inspections and rain can stretch that.
Can concrete be poured in the rain?
Not in steady rain. Water on the surface weakens the top layer and ruins the finish. A light shower after the slab has been finished and has begun to set is not a problem. From late spring to early fall, afternoon thunderstorms are a daily risk in Atlanta, so pours are set for the morning and moved when the forecast is poor.
Is it ever too hot to pour concrete here?
It is not too hot to pour on most summer days, but the method has to change. Heat speeds the set and dries the surface before the crew is done. Summer pours start at daybreak. The stone base is wetted, enough people are on hand to finish quickly, and curing begins at once. A pour scheduled for mid-afternoon in July is one to question.
Can concrete be poured in cold or freezing weather?
Yes, with care, and Atlanta seldom stays cold for long. The danger is fresh concrete freezing in its first day or two, which damages it for good. When a freezing night is forecast, the pour is either moved or covered with insulating blankets. Concrete is never placed on frozen ground. Winter slabs also take longer to gain strength, so the waiting times above get longer.
What is the best time of year to pour concrete in Atlanta?
Fall and spring are the best time of year, because temperatures are moderate and concrete cures at an easy pace. October is often the driest month. Work goes on year-round, though. Summer jobs are done early in the day, and winter jobs are planned around the handful of cold spells.
Can I use salt or deicer on new concrete?
Keep deicer off concrete through its first winter. Salt draws more water into the surface and adds to freeze damage, and young concrete is the most exposed. In Atlanta you will rarely need it at all. For the occasional icy morning, sand gives grip without harm. Never use products that contain ammonium nitrate or ammonium sulfate, which attack concrete directly.
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.