Concrete driveway installation in Pittsburgh
Searching for concrete driveway contractors near me? Here is what to look for. Concrete driveway installation starts well before the truck arrives. Most of what decides whether a slab lasts is under it, so we spend the first part of the job on grade, stone and drainage, and pour only once those are right.
What goes into a new driveway
A driveway is a thin slab on top of a lot of hidden work. A quote that only gives a price per foot leaves out the parts that matter, so ask to see each of these in writing.
- Digging out soil and organic material to the right depth
- Compacted stone base, usually 4 to 6 inches
- Forms set to a slope that carries water away from the house
- Steel placed to suit the soil and the load
- 4,000 psi air-entrained concrete
- Broom finish across the slope for grip
- Saw-cut joints within a day of the pour
- Curing, and clear dates for walking and parking
Why the mix matters in Pittsburgh
Water gets into concrete, then freezes and expands. Air-entrained concrete has billions of tiny bubbles that give the water somewhere to go, and without them the surface starts to flake away after a few winters. Many of the spalled driveways around Pittsburgh were poured without enough air, or with water added at the truck to make the concrete easier to spread.
We order a 4,000 psi mix with air for every exterior slab, and we don't add water on site. It takes more work to place, but it's the difference between a surface that holds up to road salt and one that doesn't. Our guide to concrete driveway thickness covers the base and steel in more detail.
Picking a concrete driveway contractor
If you're searching for concrete driveway contractors or concrete driveway companies near you, ask each one the same few questions. How deep is the stone base, and is it compacted in layers? What psi and air content will be on the ticket? When will the joints be cut, and how far apart? What happens if the subgrade is soft once the old surface is off? Clear answers tell you more than a low number.
Look for a quote that names thickness, base depth, steel, finish and slope. Then compare like with like, using our concrete driveway cost guide.
How the job goes
- Site visit
We measure, check the grade and look at where water goes.
- Written quote
Thickness, base, steel, finish and slope are all listed.
- Dig and base
We excavate, then place and compact the stone.
- Forms and steel
Forms are set to grade, and steel goes in where needed.
- Pour and finish
The concrete is placed, floated and broomed.
- Cut and cure
Joints are saw-cut, and you get your dates for parking.
Common questions
Do you need gravel under concrete driveway?
Yes. Stone gives the slab even support and lets water drain away. Without it, soft spots in Pittsburgh clay can settle and crack the slab.
Can you pour a concrete driveway on dirt?
You can, but it isn't a good idea here. Bare soil holds water, moves with frost and leaves the slab unsupported in places.
Can you pour a concrete driveway yourself?
On a small pad, perhaps. A driveway needs several yards placed and finished within about an hour or two, and that takes a trained crew.
Can you pour a concrete driveway in sections?
Yes. Joints between sections are normal, and pouring in stages helps on tight sites. Each section should tie cleanly to the last.
How long does it take to pour a driveway?
The pour itself takes a few hours. With digging, base and forms, most jobs take three to five days.
More driveway services
- concrete driveway replacement
- concrete driveway repair
- concrete driveway resurfacing
- stamped concrete driveway
- exposed aggregate concrete driveway
- driveway trench drain
- driveway drainage
- driveway apron
- concrete driveway sealing
- driveway crack repair
- sunken driveway repair
- driveway extension