These are the questions that did not fit on our other guide pages. If yours is not here, call (615) 436-8921 and ask.
How long does a concrete driveway last?
A concrete driveway on a good base commonly lasts 25 to 30 years or more. What shortens that life here is water under the slab, clay movement, tree roots, deicing salt and loads heavier than the slab was built for. Good drainage and sealing every few years add the most life for the least money.
Can I pour concrete myself or should I hire someone?
You can pour a small pad yourself. For a driveway or a patio of any size, hire a crew. Concrete gives you about an hour or two to place, level and finish it, less in summer, and there is no second try. A ready-mix truck unloads fast and several people are needed to keep up. Mistakes are permanent and removal costs $3 to $8 per square foot nationally.
Can I pour a small shed pad with bags from the store?
Yes, a small shed pad is a reasonable bag job. Dig out the grass and topsoil, compact 4 inches of crushed stone, build square and level forms and add mesh. Work out the volume first. A pad 8 by 10 feet and 4 inches thick takes about a cubic yard, which is roughly 45 bags of 80 pounds. That is a lot of mixing, so rent a mixer and have a helper. Above that size, a truck is easier.
I poured my own walkway and it cracked and sank. Should I redo it or hire someone?
Find out why it failed before you redo it. If it sank, the base was soft or not compacted. If it cracked across at random, it had no joints or was too thin. With a compacted stone base, a full 4 inches and a joint every 4 to 5 feet, a second attempt at a short walk can work. If it is a long run, on a slope or has steps, hiring a crew is the better use of money.
How do I get oil stains out of concrete?
Fresh oil stains come out best. Cover the spot with cat litter or another absorbent, grind it in with your shoe and leave it a day. Then scrub with a concrete degreaser and a stiff brush and rinse. Old stains need a poultice or several rounds and may leave a shadow. A sealed driveway is much easier to clean.
Can an old concrete floor be stained or dyed?
Yes, an old floor can be stained if it is clean, bare and sound. Glue, paint and old sealer must be ground off first. Stain is see-through, so patches, cracks and old marks show as part of the finish. Check for moisture coming up through the slab before any coating goes on, which matters in basements here. We test a small area so you see the color on your own floor.
Does homeowners insurance cover a retaining wall or slab?
Sometimes. Insurance policies generally cover sudden damage from a listed cause, such as a vehicle or a fallen tree. They generally do not cover settling, earth movement, wear or poor drainage, and flood is a separate policy. Read your policy and ask your agent. If you make a claim, photos and a written cause from the contractor or engineer help.
A customer tripped outside my business. Am I liable?
Possibly, and that is a question for your insurer and a lawyer. Whether you are liable in Tennessee depends on who controls the walk, whether you knew or should have known about the hazard and the facts of the fall. Public sidewalks in Nashville are NDOT's responsibility, while walks and parking areas on your lot are yours. In practical terms, fix raised edges and holes promptly and keep a record of when you did. This is not legal advice.
Can sections be replaced while my business stays open?
Yes. We replace walks, aprons and parking areas in sections so your business stays open. One entrance or half the lot is closed at a time, with a marked route for customers. New concrete needs a day or two before foot traffic and about a week before cars, so the phasing is planned around your busy days.
Can you pour a basketball pad or sport court?
Yes. A basketball pad needs a slab that is flat with a slight even slope to drain, a medium broom finish for grip and joints placed away from the key and the free-throw line where possible. On clay, the stone base and steel keep it from tilting. No national price is published for sport courts, so we price them after seeing the yard.
Does road salt from the street damage my driveway apron?
It can over time. Salt and brine tracked in from treated roads soak into the lower part of a driveway and bring on scaling during freeze and thaw. Air-entrained concrete, a penetrating sealer and a rinse with the hose in spring are the protection.
The only real price is one written after we have measured your site. Call (615) 436-8921 or text us a photo of the area for a free on-site estimate.