Some say that a concrete patio may last as long as 30 -50 years. However, if you live in the Northern Hemisphere, the climate's yearly freeze/thaw cycles shorten concrete's life expectancy. Still, the average 25 years lifespan is a long time.
For large scale projects like buildings, concrete should last up to 100 years if it's properly cared for. Concrete projects that experience more wear-and-tear like sidewalks and driveways have an expected lifespan of about half that—50 years.
It's usually better to replace a concrete driveway, patio, or flooring when the issues are hard to repair, threaten the concrete's integrity, or are significant in number and scope.
The Pros Of A Concrete Patio
If you're looking at concrete patio cost vs. pavers or natural stone, then there is no question that concrete is the least expensive option. It can also be installed fairly quickly which some may find as an advantage.
The size of your planned patio, the texture of the soil and your level of physical fitness determine whether you do this digging by hand or not. How thick will your patio slab be? Four inches is the minimum thickness for a concrete patio.
Concrete driveways are typically poured four inches thick, giving the concrete driveway enough strength to withstand loads of regular vehicles (up to approximately 8,000lbs).
In residential concrete, 4 inches is the minimum thickness for walkways and patios. Garage slabs and driveways should be 5 to 6 inches thick if any heavy truck traffic is anticipated, otherwise 4 inches is adequate.
The Cons of a Concrete Patio
Unlike laying brick or a wood patio, once you apply concrete, you can't move it. This factor can be a significant drawback, especially if you haven't taken the time to plan out your patio. Also, it's essential to figure out if you want to add designs.
Yes, if your contractor does a “bad job”, it can promote cracking to some degree, but more often than not, concrete cracks because concrete cracks … Even the best poured concrete has a high probability of cracking.
They are also easier to clean, because they do not require sealing. Concrete, on the other hand, needs a sealant to prevent staining and cracking. This means you must apply a sealant every year or two to avoid staining. Pavers last longer than concrete.
Rebar is not necessary for every concrete project. The general rule of thumb is that if you are pouring concrete that is more than 5 inches in depth, you are probably going to want to add in some rebar to help reinforce the entire structure.
Bonding restrictions: Concrete is composed of sand and aggregates held together with cement. Since cement lacks any natural bonding agents, newly-poured concrete won't naturally bond to the existing slab. You'll need to either use a bonding agent to adhere the two layers together or use an unbonded overlay method.
On average, the cost of building a patio can be as high as $5,300, depending on size and materials used. That said, it's estimated that well-designed patios not only add 8-10% home value, but also earn an ROI of over 80%.
Over a century, the carbonation depth may be on the order of several inches depending on the quality of the concrete. If reinforcing bars are present within the carbonated concrete, the protective oxide film normally present in concrete is absent, leaving the surface of the steel potentially active for corrosion.
Technically, concrete never stops curing. In fact, concrete gets stronger and stronger as time goes on.
Concrete is typically believed to last forever. While it may have ancient durability, its life span doesn't usually exceed 100 years. Architects recognize concrete as a stone-like, homogeneous material, a mix of limestone and other rock.
Left unsealed, the colors will fade, water marks may be an issue, and stains can penetrate leaving ugly oil spots where the service guy left his old jalopy parked on the driveway. It's pure and simple, the job just won't last without a good sealer.
If you want to protect your concrete patio and make it last longer, sealing it is important. You may be wondering how to seal a concrete patio and if you can do it on your own. Fortunately, it is possible to do it without the help of a professional. Once your patio is sealed, it is easier to clean and looks better.
Concrete cracking can show up at any time, even on a one year old slab like yours. It is possible the base under your driveway wasn't compacted correctly, and that may have caused the concrete to sink or settle slightly, and thus to crack.
Concrete is prone to cracking and breaking over time along with color degradation, while pavers are much more durable and can withstand heavy traffic without showing signs of wear. In terms of appearance, pavers add a natural elegance to any outdoor space that concrete simply cannot match.
Although concrete pavers cost more upfront, they are significantly more durable and flexible than poured concrete. Concrete pavers are individual pieces, which make the overall paver pattern more flexible and accommodating of fluctuations in the ground when dry set.
Concrete patios not only look fantastic, but they also perform very well too, which saves you money in the long run. You may run into some issues with wood or composite decks that you won't with a concrete patio, including warping and splintering. But there is always the risk of your concrete patio cracking.
Steel reinforcing bars and welded wire reinforcement will not prevent cracking. Reinforcement is basically dormant until the concrete cracks. After cracking, it becomes active and controls crack widths by restricting crack growth.
Can Sealing Prevent Cracks on Concrete Surfaces? Concrete sealing can stop most types of concrete fractures. This fact is especially true if the crack is a result of poor-quality work in the concrete mix or site preparation. However, sealing can prevent future damage that may start from the top layer of the concrete.
A Cure for Cracks
Spray curing concrete with water (also referred to as a “moist cure”- Frequently hosing down curing concrete with water (5 or more times/ day) for the first 7 days keeps the surface of the slab moist while the rest of the concrete continues to cure. This helps the entire slab to cure evenly.