Concrete Driveways in Gilbert, AZ

Concrete Driveways are the biggest piece of flatwork on most Gilbert lots, and many of them are now old enough to show it. Census figures summarized by Point2Homes put the median Gilbert home's construction year at 2003, with more than a quarter of homes dating to the 1990s. A driveway poured with one of those houses has had 20 to 35 summers of sun, irrigation overspray and daily traffic. Some are still fine. Others have cracked across the middle, dropped at the street edge or simply run out of room.

Signs it is time to act

• Cracks wider than about a quarter inch, or cracks with one side higher than the other
• A panel that has sunk and now holds water or trips people
• Crumbling or flaking at the surface, especially near the garage
• Broken edges along landscaping, where soil has washed out from under the slab
• A driveway that cannot fit your vehicles without parking on the gravel or the street

One bad panel does not always mean a full tear-out. If the rest of the slab is sound, we may recommend replacing that section or leveling it, which our repair page covers. When most of the driveway is failing, replacement is usually the better money.

Widening and extensions

A lot of Gilbert driveways were laid out for two cars when the home was new. Families now add a third vehicle, a work truck or a utility trailer. We extend driveways along one or both sides, add a strip to the side gate for a trailer or toys, or pour a parking pad next to the existing slab. New concrete is tied into the old with dowels or an isolation joint, depending on the condition of the existing slab, so the two pieces move without tearing each other apart. Before we pour, we check whether the extension needs approval from your HOA or the Town of Gilbert, especially anywhere near the sidewalk or street.

Built for heat and heavy use

A driveway sits in full sun, gets hit by monsoon runoff, and carries weight every day. We build it to handle that:

• Compacted base. Fill dirt and loose soil are removed or compacted, then a gravel base goes down and gets compacted in lifts.
• Right thickness. Four inches is standard for cars. Where trucks, RVs or trailers will park, we recommend thicker concrete.
• Reinforcement. Rebar or wire mesh, chosen for the load and the soil, and set up off the base so it ends up in the slab, not under it.
• Joints where cracks want to go. Control joints are cut at regular spacing and at corners, so shrinkage cracks follow a straight line instead of wandering.
• Drainage. The slab slopes to the street and away from the garage, so storm water leaves the property.
• Curing in the heat. Early-morning pours, a dampened base, and curing compound or wet curing right after finishing.

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Finish choices

Most Gilbert driveways get a broom finish because it gives tires and shoes grip and hides wear. Other options include exposed aggregate, a colored border, or a stamped apron or walkway that ties the driveway to the front entry. Stamped and colored work costs more and needs resealing, so we usually recommend it for borders and walks rather than the whole parking area.

Caring for a new driveway

• Keep cars off it until we say so, usually at least a week
• Point sprinklers and drip lines away from the edges
• Seal it every few years to slow staining and surface wear
• Clean oil spots early, before the sun bakes them in
• Call us if a crack grows or a panel shifts, while it is still a small repair