7 Days A Week

How Long Should I Wait Before Driving on New Concrete?

The main goal of laying down a new concrete driveway is so you can use it. However, before driving on it, you must wait. To become robust and long-lasting, fresh concrete requires time to cure. Knowing how your previous contractor made your concrete may help you better understand why allowing it to dry is essential.

Timeline of When to Use Your Driveway:

  • 24 Hours After Pouring – The concrete will be solid quickly after being formed. Still, it does not have the strength that it needs to provide the years of durability that you expect with concrete for the first few days. The first 24 hours are essential. There should be no cars, planters, family members, animals, or anything on the concrete.
  • 48 Hours After Pouring – After 48 hours have passed, homeowners can walk on the fresh concrete. However, skateboards, bicycles, and toys should not be played on or ridden on the new concrete.
  • 7 Days After Pouring – It takes only one week for your new concrete to become drivable. Avoid the perimeter of the fresh concrete because it is more fragile there.
  • 30 Days After Pouring – The fresh concrete will have improved in strength and hardness in a month. It is now safe to drive, walk, run, and play on without damaging the formation. Homeowners should avoid heavy vehicles at this time since they may cause damage to the fresh concrete. The concrete sealant can also now be used.

Your fresh concrete will be ready to drive on in a short time. But you will need to be patient and let the concrete gain strength. Keep tape across the concrete to protect it from vehicles or people walking on it. The concrete will look done before a week has passed, but you should wait for seven days before driving on it.

Installing fresh concrete on your driveway will increase the value of your home and save you time and money in the long run. Concrete is a popular choice for driveways because it is strong, durable, and attractive. If you are looking to install concrete on your driveway, make sure to call a professional contractor to ensure the job is done right.