Cement Driveway Tips

Before You Start

• Always check the building codes in your area to make sure that you are allowed to use cement for your driveway. You will also need to get permission from the local city or county government to do this work.

  Draw your plans on a piece of paper to have some guidance. This is for you and for the ready-mix cement crew if you are choosing this option. This will enable you to gauge how much cement you will need.

Building the Driveway

• First, excavate and prepare the base. Always consult your blueprint at this point and while building the skeleton to prevent making errors in judgment. Remember that the tiniest mistake while building this section can cause the structure to crack or collapse.

  Only when you have finished the base should you pour the concrete. Wait for it to harden before adding any finish or extra touches.

Maintaining the Cement

• You should clean stains from the cement as soon as you notice them so that they will not settle and be absorbed into the cement. If the stain is oil, use cat litter to absorb it. Remove other stains by pressure washing and with various chemical cleaners. Also try detergent to clean the stain. Simply rub the detergent onto the stain and leave for an hour or more before rinsing it. If you have a swimming pool that uses a filter, you can use the powdery substance that is used in those filters.

  Brush off the cement often and apply new sealer whenever necessary. The frequency you apply the sealer will depend on the weather conditions around your area and how much traffic moves in and out of your driveway.

  During the winter, do not use chemical de-icing agents. These will actually deteriorate the cement over time, perhaps a shorter period than you might think. Sand is recommended for this, or even salt if there is less vegetation around the driveway. Even though cement is considered a heavy-duty material, you should always be careful when you are shoveling or plowing snow. Never use metal blades on this surface.