Browse Forums Paving & Concreting 1 May 14, 2008 5:07 pm I am taking possession of my new house on Friday at 2pm. My building contract includes a coloured concrete driveway. Should I be concerned that so far only the preparation for the driveway has been done (framing, crushed rock and reo all in place)? Assuming the concrete gets poured tomorrow, how long will it take to set and how long before I can drive on it? Also, the weatherperson is predicting hail on Saturday - could this potentially be a problem? Received keys to my new home on 16/5/08 Re: How long for concrete to set? 2May 14, 2008 7:46 pm Yes hail will be a problem. Concrete in the thickness used for a driveway is fully cured in about 28 days though you can walk on it after 24 hours. I would leave it for about 6 weeks before driving on it personally. Re: How long for concrete to set? 4May 14, 2008 9:46 pm I would only be concerned about hail during pouring, not three days after pouring.
General purpose concretes reach about 50% of their "design strength" in about 3 days, and about 70% to 80% of their design strength in about 7 days. Noting that the design strength assumes large vehicles which you might get around a household...top soil delivery, removalist vans, relatively heavy loads. Concrete reaches it's design strength after 28 days I would take the advice of your concretor - and I think he would suggest keeping normal vehicles off for about 7 days, in actual fact it gets stronger with age but at a very slow rate. The issue will probably be more protecting the stencil finish. They'll pour, do the coloring and stencil, and then will have to come back with a seal the next day. Then the 7 day clock will probably start. mmm....donuts Homer Simpson 1956- Links: Site Costs Ready Reckoner | H1 Addiction Medical Advice | Château TDL: The Backyard Re: How long for concrete to set? 6May 15, 2008 7:00 am Thanks for the replies.
Hmm not very impressed at all, considering this driveway was supposed to have been done 2 weeks ago. To be honest, I can't see the builder keeping vehicles off it tomorrow, which is one of the reasons I asked this question. My builder installs all of the electrical appliances, and the rainwater tank, on handover day. I really don't think he'll be telling the trades that they all have to park on the street and somehow get the appliances in without touching the driveway (I don't have a whole lot of frontage). I'm supposed to meet with the Construction Manager tomorrow and if I see any vehicles on my driveway I'll be raising it as an issue with him. Received keys to my new home on 16/5/08 Re: How long for concrete to set? 7May 17, 2008 5:30 pm Many concretors will recommend 3 days before driving on it, however I waited a week and a half on my driveway - also being coloured you will also have sealer being laid - which you really wouldn't want to be driving over for a week.
How is the job being done? are you having a stamped colour driveway, wet stenciled or just plain concrete that has been tinted? Re: How long for concrete to set? 8May 18, 2008 6:43 pm Colleen, just wondering how you went, did all those things get done so you could move into your house on Friday or did handover have to be delayed??
It did seem to be cutting it very fine. Thank you so much. This has been very helpful. We definitely wish to settle and get these people out of our life. They are trying to charge us interest on late… 7 14187 Congratulations! Nice to put that to bed before christmas, now you can relax 3 7133 |