The average life of your concrete inlet will depend on the installation methods, environmental conditions and temperatures. However, you can expect your surface to last between 25 and 30 years with proper care. The key to extending the life of your investment is paying attention to wear and tear every season. Most residential concrete driveways last about 30 years.
The timeline depended on the installation techniques and the amount of usage and maintenance steps you might take. Concrete is an extremely durable surface. When it is well installed and well maintained, a concrete slab can last 50 years or more. One of the most important parts of a concrete driveway installation begins after all the previous work has finished curing.
If you're considering a new driveway for your home, be realistic about how much you're willing to spend to maintain your driveway. When living in Palm Beach County, weather should also be a factor in choosing a concrete driveway over an asphalt driveway. Concrete has come a long way and standard gray concrete is a thing of the past, as colored concrete now gives the homeowner more options for a darker colored driveway. Concrete is sometimes mistakenly referred to as cement, but in reality, the term cement refers to a single component that forms concrete.
One of the key factors in ensuring a long service life of concrete is an adequate subgrade and subbase during installation. This usually involves a team of several people working quickly to fill the forms with wet concrete as it is delivered by a premix supplier and then to quickly finish the surface. Since you may experience snow, rain, and freezing temperatures in central Pennsylvania, you should also think about how the weather will affect your driveway. These layers of material work together to ensure that the loads on the concrete pavement are evenly distributed, avoiding large structural cracks due to the non-uniformity of the base material.
Many people consider that concrete entrances are practically maintenance-free, but to better ensure a long service life, it is worthwhile to keep the entrance clean and sealed. Concrete is a very practical option with little ongoing maintenance costs if built correctly. Concrete is a composite material composed of several types of stone aggregates that are held together with a mixture of water and lime-based binder, usually Portland cement. A good scrub with a hose and a stiff brush will usually take care of cleaning, while concrete sealant will add a layer of protection.
As a driveway surface, concrete is more expensive than gravel and asphalt, but it is considerably less expensive than a driveway made with brick, cobblestone or concrete pavers and usually lasts longer than all of these. We can also answer any questions you may have about installing concrete if you choose to go in that direction. For the typical structural construction used, concrete is formed with aggregates the size of gravel, but for finer work and surfaces with a smoother finish, finer sands can be used as an aggregate.