Edmonton Concrete Driveways

For a typical suburban driveway, the work itself often takes a few days: removing the old concrete, preparing the base, setting formwork and reinforcement, then pouring and finishing. After that, the concrete needs time to cure before it takes vehicles. Foot traffic is usually fine within a day or two, but we generally suggest waiting longer before driving on it, and we will give you specific advice for your job. Weather can change the timing, as heavy rain can delay excavation and pouring. We give you a realistic schedule up front and keep you updated if anything changes along the way.

Widening within your property is usually straightforward, but anything that changes the section between your boundary and the road, such as a wider or additional crossover, may need council approval and must meet council standards. Requirements can cover location, width and distance from drainage pits, street trees and other features. We suggest checking with Cairns Regional Council before committing to a design. Once you know what is allowed, we can widen the driveway, add a parking bay or build a pad for a caravan, matching the existing levels so the new section blends in neatly with the old.

Tree roots are a common cause of cracking and lifting, especially with large, fast-growing species close to a driveway. As roots grow, they can push slabs up, and in drier periods they can draw moisture from the soil beneath, causing settlement. Water getting under the slab through existing cracks can make things worse. The fix depends on the tree, the damage and whether you want to keep the tree. Options include removing and replacing affected sections, installing a root barrier or adjusting the layout. If the tree is significant or on council land, check with Cairns Regional Council before doing anything to it.

Lighter colours generally stay cooler than dark ones, because they reflect more sunlight. A plain light grey or a light-toned exposed aggregate is usually more comfortable on bare feet than charcoal or other dark coloured concrete. Shading the area with a roof, shade sail or trees makes the biggest difference of all. Texture matters too, as a smooth polished or honed finish can get slippery when wet from rain or the pool. We can show you samples and talk through how each finish behaves in the heat, so you can choose a patio that looks good and is comfortable to use.