These are questions that did not fit in our other guides. If yours is missing, call (912) 214-3834 and ask.
How long does a concrete driveway last?
How long does a concrete driveway last? Several decades, when the base and drainage are right. In Savannah the concrete rarely wears out. Driveways are ended early by washed-out sand, roots and soft wet ground. A driveway with a compacted base, steel, proper joints and water led away from it will outlast one poured straight on the yard by many years.
Can I pour concrete myself or should I hire someone?
You can pour a small pad or a few stepping pads yourself. Hire a crew for a driveway or any slab bigger than you can place and finish in under an hour, because in our heat the concrete will not wait for you. One truckload weighs many tons and has to be spread, leveled and finished before it stiffens. Most do-it-yourself failures are in the base and the timing, not the mixing.
Can I pour a small shed pad with bags from the store?
Yes. A small shed pad is a sensible bag project. Strip the grass and topsoil, compact the sand, build level forms, lay mesh or rebar on supports and mix every bag to the same consistency. Work in the cool of the morning with a helper, and keep the slab damp for a few days afterward. Set the pad slightly above the lawn so the shed floor stays dry in a storm. For a large shed, a ready-mix delivery is less work and more uniform.
I poured my own walkway and it cracked and sank. Should I redo it or hire someone?
You can redo it yourself if you fix what went wrong underneath. A walk that sank had a soft or loose base, and one that cracked at random had no joints. Break it out, dig to firm ground, compact the base, add joints every 4 to 5 feet and slope it to drain. If the digging and hauling are the part you do not want, hire that part out. Another layer on top of the sunken walk will fail the same way.
How do I get oil stains out of concrete?
For fresh oil, cover it with cat litter or another absorbent, leave it overnight, sweep it up and scrub with a degreaser. Old oil stains have soaked in and need a poultice or a degreaser left to dwell, sometimes more than once, and may only fade. Rinse well and keep the wash water out of the storm drain. Sealing the driveway makes the next spill easier to lift.
How do I keep mildew and green growth off concrete?
Clean it once or twice a year and let sun and air reach it. Shaded, damp concrete in Savannah turns green or black and becomes slick. An outdoor concrete cleaner and a pressure washer with a wide fan tip remove it. Hold the tip well back so you do not etch the surface. A sealer slows regrowth, and so does trimming shrubs and fixing spots where water stands.
Can an old concrete floor be stained?
Yes, an old concrete floor can be stained if it is bare, clean and free of glue, paint and sealer. Stain is translucent, so patches, cracks and old marks stay visible and become part of the look. Acid stain reacts unevenly on old concrete, and water-based stain or dye gives more control. Test a hidden corner first, and check for moisture coming up through the slab before sealing.
A customer tripped on the concrete outside my business. Am I liable?
Whether you are liable depends on the facts, and your insurer and a lawyer should answer that. Speaking generally, Georgia law expects an owner or occupier to take ordinary care to keep the premises and approaches safe for people invited onto them. Tell your insurer promptly, photograph the spot and repair or mark the hazard at once. Keep a record of when you learned of it and what you did. This is general information, not legal advice.
Can sections be replaced while my business stays open?
Yes. We replace walks, pads and parking areas in sections so one entrance and some parking remain usable while the business stays open. We agree the phases with you, fence off each section and schedule noisy tear-out and the pour around your busiest hours where possible. New concrete needs about a week before cars and about four weeks before heavy trucks, so deliveries need a temporary route.
Can you pour a basketball pad or sport court?
Yes. A basketball pad needs a flat slab with a slight fall for drainage, a fine broom or light trowel finish for an even bounce, and joints placed away from the key and the main playing area. We have no published price for sport courts, so we quote after measuring. Check your covenants first if you live in an association, since some restrict courts and hoops.
What is tabby, and can you match old Savannah concrete?
Tabby is a historic coastal concrete made from lime, sand, water and oyster shell, and you can see it in old walls and paving around Savannah. Modern exposed-shell finishes copy the look by pressing oyster shell into the surface of ordinary concrete. An exact match to old work is difficult, so we make a sample first. Original tabby in a historic district should not be altered without talking to the preservation staff.
Can you pour a pad for a boat, trailer or golf cart?
Yes. Boat and trailer pads are common here. Tell us the weight, because a loaded boat trailer bears on a few small points and calls for a thicker slab than a car pad. Golf cart paths and pads, which we pour often on Skidaway Island, can be lighter. In an association, check the rules on where a boat or trailer may be kept before you pay for a pad.
Only a site visit gives a real price for your property. Estimates are free and come with a written quote. Call (912) 214-3834 or text us a photo of the area.