What this covers
- Tear-out and haul-off of the old driveway
- A new concrete driveway poured in its place
- Approaches up to the garage and the street
- Joints laid out before the pour
When a driveway is past repair
Driveways that are cracked all the way through, sunk at the garage lip, or lifted by tree roots are the usual reasons people call. A crack on its own is not always the problem. NRMCA, the ready mixed concrete industry association, says most random early cracks “rarely affect the structural integrity or the service life of concrete.”
What NRMCA blames for most cracking is the work, not the material: missing joints, poor subgrade preparation, too much water added on the job, poor finishing, fast drying and little or no curing. A replacement is the chance to get each of those right.
What a good replacement gets right
NRMCA’s cracking guide says the soil under the slab should be compacted, with topsoil and soft spots removed, and sloped so water drains. It calls for moderate-slump concrete, finishing only after bleed water is gone, a broom finish for traction on outdoor surfaces, and curing that starts right away and lasts at least 3 days.
It also calls for isolation joints where a driveway meets a walk, a curb, a garage slab or stairs, so each piece can move on its own. Ask any contractor where the joints will go before the pour.
Permits at the street
The part of a driveway that crosses the sidewalk and meets the street sits in the city right-of-way in most towns. Every city Tim works in issues encroachment permits for work in the city right-of-way. See the town pages for each city’s office and rules.
Recent driveway replacement work
Where Tim pours driveway replacement
Questions people ask
Does Tru Concrete remove the old driveway?
Yes. Driveway tear-out and replacement is the first service on Tim’s list. The old concrete comes out before the new driveway is poured.
Are cracks a sign my driveway has failed?
Not always. NRMCA says most random cracks that appear at an early age rarely affect the structural integrity or service life of concrete. Cracks through the slab, sunken sections and heaving are different. Send Tim a photo and he can take a look at the free estimate.
Do I need a permit to replace a driveway?
Work in the city right-of-way, such as the approach at the street, needs an encroachment permit in every city Tim covers. The town pages link each city’s permit office.
Is the estimate free?
Yes. Call or text Tim at (559) 793-6062.