Concrete Guides
Expert guidance for every concrete project. From calculations to curing, our comprehensive guides help you get professional results.
Complete Guides
Concrete 101: Everything You Need to Know
Before you calculate quantities or plan your pour, you need to understand what concrete actually is and how it works. This foundation knowledge prevents expensive mistakes—like adding too much water (permanently weakens concrete) or driving on a driveway too soon (causes surface damage).
Read Guide →Complete Guide to Concrete for DIY Projects
Concrete work is absolutely achievable for homeowners willing to plan carefully and respect the material's demands. This guide covers everything you need to successfully complete a concrete project—from understanding what concrete actually is, to calculating quantities, to finishing techniques that produce professional results.
Read Guide →Complete Guide to Concrete Driveways (Planning to Pouring)
A concrete driveway done right lasts 25-30 years with minimal maintenance. Done wrong—with inadequate thickness, poor base preparation, or premature use—it cracks within 5-10 years and costs thousands to replace.
Read Guide →Complete Guide to Concrete Patios (Design to Finish)
A concrete patio is one of the most achievable DIY concrete projects—and one of the best returns on your outdoor investment. Unlike driveways, patios don't bear vehicle weight, which means 4 inches of concrete is genuinely sufficient. Unlike large slabs, a typical patio is small enough for a motivated DIYer to complete in a weekend.
Read Guide →How-To Guides
How Long Does Concrete Take to Cure? (Complete Timeline)
You can **walk on concrete after 24-48 hours** and **drive on it after 7 days minimum**—but full strength takes **28 days**. Rushing these timelines causes permanent damage that weakens your slab for its entire lifespan.
How Thick Should Concrete Be? (By Project Type)
**Patios need 4 inches. Driveways need 5-6 inches. Garage floors need 4-6 inches.** The right thickness depends on what the concrete will support—foot traffic, passenger vehicles, or heavy trucks.
How to Calculate Concrete (Step-by-Step Guide)
The formula for calculating concrete is **Length × Width × Thickness (all in feet) ÷ 27 = cubic yards**. For a 12×10 foot patio at 4 inches thick, that's 12 × 10 × 0.33 ÷ 27 = **1.47 cubic yards**.
How to Finish Concrete (Tools & Techniques)
Finishing is where concrete work becomes craftsmanship—and where most DIY projects go wrong. The challenge isn't technique; it's timing. Every finishing step has a narrow window. Start too early, you trap water and weaken the surface. Start too late, the concrete won't respond to your tools.
How to Level Uneven Concrete (DIY Options)
Uneven concrete creates trip hazards, drainage problems, and that frustrating rocking furniture situation. The fix depends on what's causing the unevenness: minor surface irregularities call for self-leveling compound, while sunken slabs need lifting or replacement.
How to Mix Concrete (Bags, Mixer, or By Hand)
Add approximately **3 quarts of water per 80-lb bag** and mix for **3-5 minutes** until the consistency resembles thick oatmeal or peanut butter. The exact water amount varies by humidity and desired workability—start with less and add more as needed.
How to Pour Concrete (Complete DIY Guide)
Pouring concrete is the moment everything comes together—or falls apart. The actual pour is surprisingly fast (30-90 minutes for most residential projects), but it's unforgiving. Once concrete starts setting, you can't pause, restart, or fix major mistakes. Success depends entirely on preparation and coordination.
How to Seal Concrete (Step-by-Step Guide)
Sealing concrete is one of the easiest ways to extend its lifespan and improve its appearance. A quality sealer protects against water penetration, staining, freeze-thaw damage, and UV fading. The application process is straightforward—even beginners can achieve professional results with proper preparation.
Explainers & Basics
4 Inch vs 6 Inch Concrete: When to Go Thicker
**Use 4 inches for foot traffic (patios, sidewalks). Use 5-6 inches for vehicles (driveways, garage floors).** That's the core rule. The extra thickness costs roughly $0.50-1.00 per square foot—worth it where needed, wasted money where it isn't.
Best Time to Pour Concrete (Season, Weather, and Temperature)
The ideal temperature for pouring concrete is **50-60°F**, making **spring and fall** the best seasons in most regions. Concrete can be poured outside this range, but extreme heat (above 90°F) or cold (below 50°F) requires special precautions that add complexity, cost, and risk.
Concrete Maintenance: How to Make Your Concrete Last
Concrete is low maintenance, not no maintenance. A few hours of care each year can extend your concrete's lifespan by 10-15 years and keep it looking good throughout. The essentials are simple: keep it clean, keep it sealed, and fix small problems before they become big ones.
Concrete Settling: Causes, Signs, and How to Fix It
Concrete settling happens when the soil beneath a slab compacts, erodes, or shifts, causing sections to sink. A well-installed slab on properly prepared soil shouldn't settle—but shortcuts in base preparation, poor drainage, or natural soil changes can undermine even good concrete.
Concrete vs Cement: What's the Difference?
**Cement is an ingredient in concrete—not another word for the same thing.** Think of it like flour and bread: flour is a key ingredient in bread, but you wouldn't call a loaf of bread "flour." Similarly, cement is a key ingredient in concrete, but a concrete driveway isn't a "cement driveway."
How Much Does Concrete Weigh? (Per Yard, Foot, and Bag)
Concrete weighs approximately **4,000 pounds per cubic yard** or **150 pounds per cubic foot** when freshly mixed. This weight matters for transport planning, structural load calculations, and understanding what you're working with when mixing bags by hand.
Do You Need Gravel Under Concrete? (When and Why)
**Yes, in most cases.** A 4-6 inch layer of compacted gravel under concrete provides essential drainage, prevents settling, and significantly extends the lifespan of your slab. Skipping the gravel base is one of the most common shortcuts that leads to cracked, uneven, or failed concrete.
How Long Does Concrete Last? (Lifespan by Project)
Properly installed and maintained concrete lasts 25-30 years for residential surfaces like driveways and patios, and 50-100+ years for structural elements like foundations. These aren't guaranteed lifespans—they're achievable with quality installation and basic maintenance.
How Many Bags of Concrete Do I Need? (Bag Calculator)
One cubic yard of concrete equals **45 bags of 80-lb mix**, **60 bags of 60-lb mix**, or **90 bags of 40-lb mix**. For a 10×10 patio at 4 inches thick, you need approximately **55 bags of 80-lb concrete**.
How Much Concrete Do I Need? (Quick Answer + Calculator)
A **10×10 slab at 4 inches thick needs 1.2 cubic yards** (about 55 bags of 80-lb concrete). A **12×12 patio needs 1.8 cubic yards** (about 80 bags). Check the reference table below for common sizes, or use our [concrete calculator](/calculators/concrete-calculator) for your exact dimensions.
How to Build Concrete Forms (DIY Guide)
Forms are the mold that shapes your concrete. Get them right, and the pour is straightforward. Get them wrong, and you'll fight problems from start to finish—bulging forms, uneven thickness, improper drainage, or concrete that leaks underneath.
How to Hire a Concrete Contractor (Step-by-Step)
Hiring the right concrete contractor makes the difference between a project you're proud of and years of regret. Get at least 3-5 quotes, verify licenses and insurance, insist on a written contract, and never pay more than 30% upfront. Rush this process, and you risk hiring someone who'll disappear mid-project or deliver poor work.
How to Repair Concrete Cracks (DIY Guide)
Most concrete crack repairs are straightforward DIY projects. The key is matching the repair method to the crack size and type. Hairline cracks need simple sealers, wider cracks need flexible fillers, and structural cracks need professional assessment before any repair.
Concrete Inspection Checklist (What Inspectors Look For)
Building inspectors verify that your concrete work meets local codes before you pour (pre-pour inspection) and sometimes after completion (final inspection). They're checking for proper dimensions, adequate base preparation, correct reinforcement placement, and compliance with approved plans. Knowing what they look for helps you [prepare for a successful concrete pour](/guides/how-to-pour-concrete).
Do You Need a Permit for Concrete Work?
Whether you need a permit for concrete work depends entirely on your local jurisdiction—there's no universal rule. However, general patterns exist: driveways, foundations, and large slabs typically require permits, while small patios, walkways, and repairs usually don't. The only way to know for certain is to check with your local building department.
15 Questions to Ask a Concrete Contractor Before Hiring
These questions separate professional contractors from those who'll deliver headaches. Ask every candidate the same questions and compare answers. Good contractors answer confidently with specifics. Concerning contractors give vague responses, dodge questions, or pressure you to decide quickly.
Ready-Mix vs Bagged Concrete: Which Should You Use?
The decision comes down to project size: **use bagged concrete for projects under 1 cubic yard** (about 45 bags), and **ready-mix delivery for anything larger**. The break-even point is roughly 1-1.5 cubic yards, where the convenience of ready-mix starts to outweigh the cost savings of bags.
Types of Concrete: Which One Do You Need?
For most residential projects—patios, sidewalks, shed pads—**standard concrete mix (3,000-4,000 PSI)** is all you need. Driveways and areas supporting vehicle traffic benefit from **high-strength concrete (5,000+ PSI)**. Fast-setting concrete is best reserved for posts and small repairs, not slabs.
What Is a Yard of Concrete? (Volume Explained)
A "yard" of concrete means **one cubic yard**—a cube measuring 3 feet on each side. That's **27 cubic feet** of concrete, and it covers roughly **81 square feet at 4 inches thick** or **54 square feet at 6 inches thick**.
When Do You Need Rebar in Concrete? (Decision Guide)
**Driveways, foundations, and footings need rebar.** Patios and sidewalks typically only need wire mesh—or sometimes no reinforcement at all. The deciding factors are load bearing, span length, and soil conditions.
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