These are the questions that did not fit on our other guide pages. If yours is missing, call or text (786) 705-4727 and ask.
How long does a concrete driveway last?
A well built concrete driveway commonly lasts 25 to 30 years or more. Miami helps in one way, since there is no freeze and thaw to break up the surface. It hurts in others. Roots, salt near the coast and a poor base shorten the life. The base, the steel cover and drainage decide which end of the range you get.
Can I pour concrete myself or should I hire someone?
You can do a small job yourself, and a large one is best left to a crew. If you are asking whether to pour it myself, think about time. In Miami heat a load of concrete gives you a short window to place, level and finish it, and whatever you have at the end of that window is permanent. A small pad or a few stepping pads is a fair weekend project. A driveway is several yards of concrete arriving at once and needs four or five practised people.
Can I pour a small shed pad with bags from the store?
Yes. A small shed pad is a good use of bagged mix. Dig out the grass and any dark soil, compact a few inches of crushed rock, set level forms and mix every bag to the same wetness. Work in the early morning and keep the pad damp for several days. In Miami-Dade a shed may need a permit and tie-downs for wind, so ask the building department before you build.
I poured my own walkway and it cracked and sank. Should I redo it or hire someone?
First work out why it failed, then decide whether to redo it or hire. A walk that sank was almost always poured on loose or organic soil. One that cracked had no joints or was too thin. If you are willing to dig it out, compact a proper base and add joints every few feet, a second try can succeed. If the cause was roots or water you cannot control, it is worth getting a site visit before spending again.
How do I get oil stains out of a driveway?
Deal with oil stains quickly. Soak up fresh oil with cat litter, then scrub with a concrete degreaser and rinse. Old stains have soaked in and need a poultice or a degreaser left to work for hours, and some will only fade. Avoid muriatic acid, which etches the surface and does nothing for oil. Mind where the rinse water goes, since street drains here lead to canals and the bay.
Can an old concrete floor be stained?
Yes, an old floor can be stained if it is bare and clean. Paint, glue, tile adhesive and old sealer must come off first, usually by grinding. Stain is translucent, so repairs, cracks and old tack strip marks remain visible and become part of the look. Test for moisture before sealing, because damp slabs are common here and sealer will cloud over them.
How do I keep mildew and algae off my concrete?
Wash it once or twice a year and let more sun and air reach it. Shaded, damp concrete in Miami grows a black or green film that is slick when wet. A cleaner made for outdoor concrete and a pressure washer with a wide fan tip remove it. Do not hold a narrow tip close to the surface, which scars it. A breathable sealer slows the regrowth.
A customer tripped on the concrete outside my business. Am I liable?
Whether you are liable turns on the facts, and it is a question for your insurer and an attorney. In general, whoever owns or controls a walking surface is expected to keep it reasonably safe and to fix or warn about hazards they know of. Report the incident to your insurer at once, photograph the spot and repair the hazard. Find out too who is responsible for that piece of pavement: you, your landlord, the city, the county or the state. This is general information, not legal advice.
Can sections be replaced while my business stays open?
Yes, in most cases the work can be phased so the business stays open. We split a walk or parking area into sections, keep one route to the door open at all times and fence off the fresh concrete. Tell us your busy hours and delivery times. Each section needs days before foot traffic and longer before vehicles, and that sets the order of work.
Can you pour a basketball pad or sport court?
Yes. A basketball court needs a flat slab with just enough slope to drain, a finish that grips without scraping skin, and joints placed along the court lines where possible. In full sun, a light color keeps the surface cooler. Our price source has no figure for sport courts, so we quote them after seeing the yard.
Do hurricanes damage driveways and patios?
Wind does not move a slab, but what comes with a hurricane can. Storm surge and flooding wash out the base at the edges, uprooted trees lift panels with their roots, and debris piles and heavy cleanup trucks crack driveways. After a storm, look for hollow-sounding spots and edges with soil missing, and get those filled before the slab breaks.
Is concrete near the ocean different?
It should be. Within reach of salt spray, the goals are a dense mix, steel set deep in the slab, and joints sealed so salt water cannot sit in them. Some designs use coated or non-rusting reinforcement. These choices cost a little more at the pour and avoid the rust damage that is the main reason coastal concrete in Miami fails early.
For a price on your own property, ask for a free on-site estimate with a written quote. Call (786) 705-4727, or text a photo of the concrete to the same number.