These are the questions that do not fit on our other guide pages.
How long does a concrete driveway last?
A well-built concrete driveway commonly lasts for decades. We do not put a number of years on it, because the base and the winters decide. In Pittsburgh the things that shorten that are a thin base on clay, poor drainage, concrete without air entrainment and heavy use of deicer. The things that lengthen it are sealing, keeping downspouts off it and filling cracks before winter.
Can I pour concrete myself, or should I hire someone?
You can pour a small, flat job yourself if you are fit and have help. Anything larger than a few bags sets faster than a first-timer can finish it. Driveways, sloped pours, steps and anything that must drain correctly are better hired out. You would still need to contact PA One Call before digging and get any approval your municipality requires.
Can I build a small shed pad with bags from the store?
Yes. A small shed pad is a good bagged-concrete project. Dig out the topsoil, compact four inches of crushed stone, set level forms with a slight fall, and mix all the bags to the same wetness. Have enough people to place it in one go. For a shed bigger than about 8x10, ordering a short load is easier and gives better concrete.
The walkway I poured myself cracked and sank. Should I redo it or hire it out?
First work out why it failed. A walk that cracked and sank almost always had too little compacted stone under it or was poured too thin. If you redo it yourself, fix the base, add joints every four to five feet and do not add extra water to the mix. If the walk has steps, a slope or meets the public sidewalk, hiring it out is the better use of your weekend.
How do I get oil stains out of concrete?
For fresh oil stains, soak up what you can with cat litter, then scrub with a concrete degreaser and hot water. Old stains may need a poultice that draws oil out over a day or two, and several rounds. Some shadow often remains. A sealed driveway releases oil much more easily.
Can an old concrete floor be stained or dyed?
Yes, an old floor can be stained once paint, glue and sealer are removed. Stain is translucent, so repairs and old marks stay visible, and the result varies from slab to slab. Test a small area first. Many Pittsburgh basements are damp, and a damp floor has to be dealt with before stain and sealer, or the finish will lift.
A customer tripped on the concrete outside my business. Am I liable?
Whether you are liable turns on the facts and is for your insurer and a lawyer to answer. In general, whoever controls a walking surface is expected to keep it reasonably safe and to fix hazards they know about. In the City of Pittsburgh, Chapter 417 of the city code puts sidewalk maintenance and repair on the abutting property owner. Report the fall to your insurer, photograph the spot and get the hazard repaired. This is general information, not legal advice.
Can sections be replaced while my business stays open?
Yes. We break a parking area or walk into sections so there is always a safe way to the door while the business stays open. Barriers and signs mark the route, and we schedule noisy cutting and the pour around your busy hours where we can. Plan deliveries with us, because new concrete cannot carry trucks for several weeks.
Can you pour a basketball pad or sport court?
Yes. A basketball pad needs a nearly flat slab with just enough fall to drain, a light broom finish for grip and joints placed away from the key. Flat ground is scarce on Pittsburgh lots, so a court often means cutting into a slope and building a low wall. We have no published price for courts and quote them after seeing the yard.
Do earthquakes or salt air affect concrete in Pittsburgh?
Not in any way that changes a home project. Western Pennsylvania is not an area where earthquakes drive the design of driveways and patios, and there is no sea air. The local threats are freeze-thaw, road salt, wet clay and slopes.
For a real number, we need to see the site. Call (412) 725-2024 or text a few photos, and we will set up a free on-site estimate with a written quote.