Homeowner
FAQ.

They're often used interchangeably — even by construction pros — but cement is not concrete. Cement is one ingredient: a powder made by burning clay and lime. Mix cement with sand, gravel or stone, and water, and the cement and water form a paste that binds everything into the rock-like mass we call concrete.

Yes. Concrete can be made to order for strength, workability, and durability. There's even an environmentally friendly form — pervious concrete — that lets water pass through, draining stormwater into the subsoil instead of running off into sewers, rivers, and streams.

For most projects, yes. Placing and finishing the concrete is your concrete contractor's job. Our role is to produce, deliver, and discharge a good-quality mix, specified for your project, safely and on time.

No. Placing the concrete is your contractor's responsibility. We produce, deliver, and discharge the mix that's specified for your project — fresh and to spec.

Curing is keeping the concrete at the right moisture and temperature so it gains strength and surface quality properly. Skip it and you risk shrinkage, cracking, and dusting. As a rule, keep the surface moist for at least 7 days for good curing.

For our area, the American Concrete Institute and the American Concrete Pavement Association recommend waiting a minimum of seven days after placement before driving on a concrete driveway.

A sealer keeps moisture from entering the concrete, limiting surface damage from freeze-thaw cycles. Let new concrete air-dry about 30 days before the first application, then reseal every 2–3 years depending on the product. Always follow the manufacturer's directions.

Yes. Temperature, moisture, and wind all change how fast concrete hardens. Wind can crack the surface; rain can significantly weaken it. That's why it matters to use the right mix for the conditions and the application.

Usually not. Very narrow “hairline” cracks are superficial. Cracks where one side moves relative to the other should be evaluated by a professional engineer.

The lower initial price is more than made up over the driveway's life. A good concrete driveway lasts 30+ years with little maintenance, while asphalt needs periodic seal coats to slow age-related cracking and deteriorates faster from environmental exposure. Factor in the sealers and the shorter lifespan, and concrete costs less over time.