Concrete Driveways in Hesperia, CA

Concrete driveways are one of the most common jobs in Hesperia, and one of the hardest working pieces of concrete on any lot. A driveway carries the weight of cars and trucks every day. It sits in full sun through 99-degree July afternoons and cools to near freezing on winter nights. A large share of Hesperia's housing went up during the city's growth in the 1980s and 1990s, so plenty of driveways in town are nearing the end of their service life.

Signs you need a new driveway

• Cracks that have split the driveway into separate pieces that move or rock
• Sections that have sunk, especially at the garage or where the driveway meets the street
• A surface that is flaking, dusting or showing loose stones
• Water that flows toward the garage or pools in low spots
• A driveway too narrow for the cars, trailers or RV you own now

If only a few hairline cracks show and the slab is level, a repair or resurfacing may be enough. If the base has failed, new concrete on top will crack again in the same places. Replacing it is the fix.

Building a driveway that lasts

Removal. The old slab is broken up and hauled off. HomeGuide prices tear-out at roughly $2 to $6 per square foot.

Ground preparation. Most Hesperia lots sit on sandy loam that washed off granite onto alluvial fans. Water passes through it easily, but the sand has to be dampened and compacted or it will settle under the weight of a car. Pockets of soft ground get dug out and refilled in compacted layers.

Slab depth. In HomeGuide's guide, 4 inches is the floor for ordinary cars, and motorhomes and heavy trucks call for 5 to 6 inches with thicker edges. On bigger lots where a trailer or RV parks, we deepen just the section that carries it.

Steel. Rebar keeps cracked sections tight and level with each other. HomeGuide puts it at about $1 to $3 per square foot.

Fall and runoff. Every driveway gets enough pitch to move water off toward the street or yard and away from the garage. Rain is rare in Hesperia, but it tends to arrive in short, heavy bursts.

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Pouring in the heat and wind

Summer pours start early in the morning so the concrete is placed and finished before the worst heat. Hot, dry air and wind from Cajon Pass pull water out of the surface quickly. If the top dries before the slab below it, you get shallow plastic shrinkage cracks and a weak, dusty surface. We use evaporation control when needed and cure the slab with a curing compound or by keeping it damp.

Control joints

All concrete shrinks as it cures and moves with temperature. Hesperia's swing between cool mornings and hot afternoons adds to that movement. Control joints are planned weak lines that let the slab crack in a straight line instead of randomly. We space them to suit the slab's thickness and width, and we cut them at the right time.

Finishes

Most driveways get a broom finish for traction. Exposed aggregate, colored borders and stamped bands are options if you want a different look. A smooth trowel finish is slick when wet and is not a good choice for a sloped driveway.

The first month and after

Give the slab a day or two before walking on it and at least a week before parking a car on it. HomeGuide advises holding off on heavy vehicles and the first coat of sealer until the concrete has cured for 28 to 30 days. A fresh coat of sealer every few years keeps water out of the surface and makes oil spots easier to lift.