Concrete Driveways in East Providence, RI

What does driveway replacement involve?

Replacing a concrete driveway means removing the old slab down to the soil, fixing whatever ground problem caused it to fail, and pouring a new one in its place. We saw-cut a clean line at the street and the garage, break out the old concrete and haul it away. Then we dig out soft soil, lay crushed stone and compact it in layers. Forms go up, reinforcement goes in, and we pour and finish the new driveway in one day.

A typical residential driveway is poured at least four inches thick, and thicker where heavier vehicles park. Control joints are cut at regular spacing so shrinkage cracks fall in straight lines where you expect them. The surface gets a broom finish for grip in wet and icy weather, and the whole slab is pitched to shed water away from the garage and the house. This is also a good moment to tie in a matching front walk, since the crew and truck are already on site.

What are the signs you need a new driveway?

A driveway needs replacing when the damage runs through the slab rather than sitting on top of it. Look for these signs:

• Sections that have sunk or tipped, leaving a lip you catch a shovel or a toe on.
• Wide cracks that keep growing, or cracks that let weeds and water through.
• Surface scaling over large areas, where the top has flaked off and exposed the stone underneath.
• Water pooling in the same low spots or running back toward the garage.
• A slab broken into several loose pieces that rock when you drive over them.

Why do driveways fail in East Providence?

Driveways here take more punishment than almost any other concrete on the property. Cars carry road salt in from the street all winter, and the brine drips off in the same spots day after day. Salt draws water into the concrete, and when that water freezes it pops the surface apart. Snowplows and shovels scrape the top. On top of that, many older driveways in neighborhoods like Riverside and Kent Heights were poured thin, directly on the dirt, with no stone base and no air in the mix.

The soil is the other half of the story. Sandy ground with pockets of loose fill settles over time, and a driveway that loses support underneath cracks and sinks. Near the bay, wetter soil freezes and lifts the slab in winter, then drops it in spring. Tree roots from big old maples along the street can push up the end of a driveway too. If the cause isn't fixed, a new slab will fail the same way, which is why we spend real time on the base.

What affects the cost of a concrete driveway?

The cost of a new concrete driveway comes down to a few honest factors:

• Size. Square footage drives the amount of concrete, stone and labor.
• Tear-out. Removing thick old concrete or asphalt takes more time and more trucking than bare ground.
• Base work. Soft or filled ground needs more digging and more stone.
• Thickness and reinforcement. Heavier trucks or a camper call for a thicker slab and more steel.
• Finish. A broom finish costs less than color or a stamped border along the edges.
• Access and permits. A driveway the truck can't back onto means more hand work. Widening a driveway at the curb may need sign-off from the city. We check with the city's Building Inspection division before work starts when a job calls for it.

We give you a written estimate after we've seen the ground, so the price covers everything on the list.

Should you repair or replace your driveway?

A driveway can often be repaired when the slab is solid and level and the trouble is limited to a few narrow cracks or a small chipped area. Sealing cracks keeps water out and slows the damage. Replacement is the better choice when sections have sunk, heaved or broken loose, or when scaling covers most of the surface. Patching a driveway that's moving underneath won't hold, and resurfacing products tend to peel off in our freeze-thaw winters. If only one section is bad, we can sometimes replace just that piece. We'll tell you which way makes sense when we see it.

Driveway questions we hear most

How long before I can drive on a new concrete driveway?

You can walk on a new concrete driveway the next day. Wait about seven days before driving a car on it, and longer for heavy trucks. Concrete keeps gaining strength for about a month, so give it time before parking anything very heavy.

Can I use salt on a new concrete driveway?

Don't use rock salt or ice melt on a new driveway during its first winter. Fresh concrete is still porous and salt can damage the surface. Use sand for traction that first season. After that, a sealer applied every couple of years helps keep salt and water out.

Can you replace just part of my driveway?

Often, yes. If one or two sections have sunk and the rest is sound, we can cut them out and pour new sections that tie in. The color won't match exactly at first, but it evens out as the new concrete ages.

How long does a concrete driveway last?

A concrete driveway built on a proper base with air-entrained concrete and good drainage typically lasts thirty years or more in a Rhode Island climate. Sealing it and keeping salt use down helps it reach the long end of that range.

Many homeowners have us rebuild the steps at the side door during the same visit, since they often take the same beating from winter.