Get matched with top concrete driveway pros in Jackpot, NV

Concrete dries faster in the heat than in the cold, but when concrete cures too fast, it can cause weak concrete. It’s best to pour concrete when temperatures are between 50 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit, watering it five to 10 times per day for seven days (unless you pour concrete in the winter). Slower cure times, such as when pouring concrete in cold weather, can cause strong concrete, but you need to monitor the temperature drop and moisture levels. Avoid pouring concrete when temperatures are below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

Precast concrete can last from 50 to 100 years or more. Precast concrete may have a longer lifespan than cast-in-place concrete due to the controlled curing conditions and lack of environmental exposure during the curing process. Properly maintaining and regularly inspecting your precast concrete can help extend its life and keep it in good condition for decades. 

The trick to getting a smooth finish when pouring concrete is to smooth the surface of the concrete with a magnesium float. This tool helps bring the finer, smoother aggregate to the surface for a cleaner finish. Don’t overdo the floating process, though, or the slab can become weaker and start to scale.

In most cases, you’ll want your patio to be 4 inches thick, although you should add reinforcement and increase the thickness up to around 8 inches if you want it to support heavier loads and resist cracking more readily. Although thicker slabs will cost more, you’ll start seeing diminishing returns at around 6 inches.