Quick Answer: How To Finish Concrete Driveway?

What is the best way to finish concrete?

HOW TO FINISH CONCRETE

1. Spread the concrete. Use a square shovel or a come-along tool to push and pull the wet concrete into place.
2. Screed the concrete. During this step remove excess concrete and bring the surface of the concrete to proper grade.
3. Float the surface.
4. Edge the slab.
5. Groove in joints.
6. Trowel the surface.

Is it necessary to seal concrete driveway?

And concrete driveways should be sealed every four or five years to protect them from water penetration and to prolong their life. Many people believe that concrete driveways don’t need maintenance, so they may never apply a sealer. This is a good time of year for driveway work.

How can I make my concrete driveway look better?

There are several ways to make your driveway more appealing, possibly becoming the envy of your neighborhood.

1. Pressure Wash.
2. Repair any broken pavers or bricks, fill any cracks.
3. Add a border.
4. Staining concrete driveways.
5. Upgrade your driveway.
6. Improve your landscaping.
7. Lighting.
8. Decorative Mailbox.

When should I start finishing my concrete?

When all traces of the water are gone and the concrete starts to harden, you can resume finishing activities. Test by pressing your gloved thumb onto the surface near the perimeter. The concrete is ready when pressing hard only leaves a 1/4-in.

Should you wet down new concrete?

QUESTION: I’ve been told that new concrete should be kept moist for at least three days while curing. ANSWER: Keeping concrete moist helps the curing process. Concrete hardens as a result of a chemical reaction, called hydration, between cement and water, not because it dries.

How soon can I seal my concrete driveway?

Other reactive penetrating sealers (silanes and siloxanes) and most high-performance coatings, such as epoxies and urethanes, should only be applied after the concrete is fully cured (generally 28 days). Almost all sealers can be applied after the concrete is 28 days old.

Should I seal my concrete driveway after pressure washing?

One way to keep your concrete driveway, walkway or walls looking good is to wash them and seal them every 2 to 3 years. Sealer also helps prevent stains from setting in on the concrete. Sealing concrete after pressure washing is similar to painting walls in your house.

Do I need to seal my driveway after pressure washing?

Yes, the driveway definately will need to be sealed. I found out the hard way after pressure washing my drive and not sealing it. The sealer closes up holes in the driveway and prevents water from freezing and cracking in the driveway. Highly recommended.

Can I resurface my concrete driveway?

Concrete resurfacing to cover larger cracks or surface problems. Large cracks or holes greater than ¼”, spalling (horizontal peeling or chipping of the surface), and discoloration can be covered with resurfacing or a concrete overlay (a thin layer of cement-based material applied directly over the existing concrete).

Can I paint my concrete driveway?

Driveway paint is very thick and the first coat should be thin enough to fill the rough concrete surface. Begin by painting the edges (‘cutting in’) and details of the driveway using a paint brush. Use a roller to apply paint evenly over the rest of the driveway. Leave the paint to cure for at least 16 hours.

Can you pour new concrete over old cracked concrete?

There are situations when pouring new concrete isn’t the most suitable option. For instance, surfaces with larger cracks, heaving or settling conditions, or where height cannot be raised, replacement is a better solution. However, in most cases, you can pour a new layer of concrete onto the existing one.

What is the smoothest concrete?

QUIKRETE® Fiber-Reinforced Concrete, because of its high strength and smooth surface finish, is the best choice for the cast projects that follow.

What tool do you use to smooth concrete?

Screeds are long, straight, stiff tubing or boards used to smooth and roughly level wet concrete shortly after it is poured. Screeds are available in different sizes and can even be project-specific, such as those used for building concrete bridges.

How do you make concrete shiny?

A glossy sealer creates a shiny surface, and an acrylic wax adds an additional protective coat. Polyurethane and epoxy sealers resist abrasion, stains and heavy traffic particularly well, but water-based acrylic sealers are less expensive and easier to apply.