Concrete · FAQ

Concrete FAQ

The three questions that come up most: cracking is normal within limits — NRMCA says it is not possible to produce completely crack-free concrete, and most early random cracks rarely affect structural integrity; you can drive a car on a new driveway after about seven days, when it has roughly 70% of its strength; and plain flatwork typically costs about $5 to $8 per square foot installed.

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Most disputes between homeowners and concrete contractors come from expectations nobody set. Concrete shrinks, so it cracks. Joints control where. Curing controls how strong the surface ends up. Air entrainment controls whether it survives salt and freezing. If those four things were specified and done, you got a good job even if there is a hairline crack in it.

If they weren't specified, that's a different conversation — and it's one you can have with documents rather than opinion, because NRMCA publishes the recommended practices free.

How to choose

Judge the job against the spec, not the photo: A perfect-looking slab with no joints and no curing will fail. A slab with one hairline crack and everything done right will not.
Keep your usage timeline: 24 hours to walk, three days for bikes, seven days to drive, 28 days for heavy vehicles. Early loading is your fault, not the contractor's.
Winter one is the dangerous one: No deicing chemicals in the first winter. Use clean sand.
Document before you complain: Measure joint spacing, photograph the crack against a ruler, and note the date. Specifics get answered; vague complaints get deflected.

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FAQ

Concrete faq — common questions

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Is it normal for new concrete to crack?

Within limits, yes. NRMCA states that all concrete has a tendency to crack and completely crack-free concrete is not possible, and that most random early-age cracks rarely affect structural integrity or service life. The exceptions are D-cracking from freeze-thaw and alkali-aggregate reaction, which causes long-term structural damage.

How long does concrete take to cure?

NRMCA says curing should continue for a sufficient period, typically 3 to 7 days. Concrete gains roughly 70% of its potential strength by day seven per Concrete Network, and design strength is referenced at 28 days.

How much does concrete cost per square foot?

Concrete Network's 2026 tiers put plain concrete at $5 to $8 per square foot, basic at $8 to $14, mid-range at $14 to $21, and high-end at $21 and up, with a full driveway totaling $3,200 to $13,000.

How thick should a concrete driveway be?

Concrete Network gives a minimum of 4 inches for a driveway. Heavier loads and weaker soils are reasons to go thicker.

Will salt damage my concrete?

It can. NRMCA considers calcium chloride and sodium chloride acceptable in moderate amounts but says excessive application increases scaling potential, and to avoid deicing chemicals entirely in the first winter. Ammonium sulfate and ammonium nitrate should never be used.

Sources

Where these figures come from

NRMCA CIP 4 — Cracking Concrete Surfaces · retrieved 2026-07-25
NRMCA CIP 11 — Curing In-Place Concrete · retrieved 2026-07-25
NRMCA CIP 2 — Scaling Concrete Surfaces · retrieved 2026-07-25
Concrete Network — Concrete Driveway Cost · retrieved 2026-07-25
Concrete Network — How Long Before You Can Drive on New Concrete · retrieved 2026-07-25