A concrete driveway can be anexcellent choice for your Maryland, Delaware, or Pennsylvania home. Its sturdy composition will last for decades and its flexibility gives youcountless decorative options. If you areconsidering getting one, here’s what to know about the best time to install a concrete driveway.

What’s the Best Season to Install a Concrete Driveway?

Technically, there are two great seasons to install a concrete driveway in the Mid-Atlantic: spring and fall. In general, the temperature should be between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit, although installation work can be successful in temperatures above or below this range. Even so, there are reasons why it’s best to aim to pursue your concrete driveway installation project in the spring, fall, a warm winter’s day, or a cool summer evening.

Why Installing Concrete at the Right Time Matters

When It’s Too Hot

Concrete is a mixture of gravel aggregates and cement (a mixture of finely-ground and heated sand, ash, etc., and water) that must harden and cure at an appropriate time rate. A chemical reaction happens between the concrete particles and water as the water evaporates and the mixture hardens that gives it its renowned strength.

If the weather is too hot, the concrete will harden and cure too quickly, which could result in structural problems. To remediate this issue, one could spray the cement with water periodically to ensure a successful curing process.

When It’s Too Cold

When the weather is too cold, it takes longer for water to evaporate and therefore longer for the concrete to cure. Technically, curing happens over the course of a few years, but the first few days are the most crucial. If the weather fluctuates above and below freezing, the cement could freeze and thaw repeatedly as well, causing it to crack and crumble.

The way to keep this disaster from happening is to pre-warm the installation site and insulate the concrete as it is curing.

When It Rains

Rain, snow, and other such weather events will disrupt and potentially ruin the curing process.

Let a Local Concrete Driveway Contractor Take Care of It

With a local concrete driveway contractor like us, you can rest assured that the weather won’t rain on your project’s success!

Receive Asphalt Paving Services with Tri-State Paving

Call Tri-State Paving. We’re a seasoned asphalt pavement company based in Maryland and have the experience and knowledge to help you with asphalt, concrete, and hardscaping projects.

We refuse to sell hot air to our customers and that’s why we have been around for over 4 decades. We listen, inform, educate then decide what is best for our customers project and budget. If any problems arise during construction we keep our customers updated and respond to make the imperfect perfect.

Our area numbers are:

West Chester: 610.563.9456

Oxford: 610.932.3566

Delaware: 302.757.4100

Check back here for weekly updates on current projects, important paving facts and info, and smart ideas for homeowners interested in concrete, asphalt, or hardscaping work.

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Tags: concrete driveway, concrete driveway installation, concrete paving

This entry was posted on Thursday, November 21st, 2024 at 8:53 pm and is filed under Concrete Paving. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.