Concrete Driveway Installation & Maintenance | The Complete Guide

A concrete driveway should look sharp and hold up for decades. In Calgary, that only happens when you plan for weather, prep the base correctly, place the right mix, and protect the surface through winter. This guide covers what to do before, during, and after installation so you avoid cracks, scaling, and costly rework. It also explains simple maintenance that keeps your driveway looking new longer.

Step 1: Plan the base and drainage

A driveway is only as good as its base. Aim for a compacted granular base with uniform support and good drainage so slabs don’t settle or trap water. Industry guidance recommends at least 4 inches of compacted subbase/base material, thicker where soils are weak. Keep organic material and soft spots out, and grade so water moves away from the slab and the house. 

Quick checks

• Soil is compacted and stable
• Base is granular, compactible, and at a consistent depth
• Surface drains away from structures

Step 2: Choose thickness, joints, and reinforcement

For most Calgary homes, a 4-inch slab is the minimum; go 5 inches where you expect heavier vehicles or want a longer-lasting section at the apron. Proper jointing controls where shrinkage cracks form. A common rule is to space contraction joints about 24–36 times the slab thickness in inches. For a 4-inch slab, that’s roughly 10 feet, cut to at least one-third of the slab depth. Keep panels as close to square as possible to reduce random cracking. 

Pro tip

Layout joints on your plan before forming. Avoid odd rectangles and triangles. Continuous, straight joints reduce out-of-joint cracks. 

Step 3: Specify a driveway-ready mix for our climate

Freeze–thaw cycles and de-icing salts are hard on concrete. An air-entrained mix with appropriate strength (commonly 4000 psi at 28 days) improves durability. Air entrainment helps resist freeze-thaw damage, and higher-strength mixes are common where heavy vehicles are expected. Your ready-mix supplier will match local exposure needs. 

Step 4: Place with the weather in mind

When it’s hot, dry, or windy

Fresh concrete can lose surface moisture faster than bleed water can replace it, which causes plastic-shrinkage cracks within hours. ACI flags about 0.2 lb/ft²/hr evaporation as the danger line that calls for precautions like fogging, wind breaks, sunshades, cooler materials, and immediate curing. 

When it’s cold

Cold slows strength gain, and early freezing can permanently damage the surface. ACI defines cold-weather concreting when the air temperature is at or expected to fall below 4°C (40°F) during the protection period. Keep concrete warm and protected until it gains adequate early strength. Heaters, blankets, and warmed materials are standard tools. 

Early-age protection

Concrete should be protected from freezing until it has developed enough strength to resist freeze damage; technical guidance often references about 500 psi as a minimum early-age threshold for freeze exposure. Maintain recommended temperatures during curing. 

Step 5: Finish and cure correctly

Do not finish standing water back into the surface. Start curing as soon as finishing allows. Proper curing locks in moisture so cement hydrates, which reduces shrinkage cracking and increases surface durability. In heat, use moisture-retentive curing compounds or moist curing; in cold, use insulation and controlled heat. 

Step 6: Protect the driveway through the first year

New concrete is most vulnerable in its first winter. Avoid de-icing salts during the first year and use clean sand for traction instead. After that, apply only the right products in moderation. This simple habit prevents scaling and extends service life. 

Step 7: Seal for Calgary’s freeze–thaw and salts

A breathable, penetrating silane or siloxane sealer repels water and chlorides without trapping moisture, which helps limit freeze–thaw scaling and salt intrusion. Reapply on a multi-year cycle based on exposure and traffic. 

Maintenance checklist you can follow

• Spring: Rinse off winter salts. Check joints and cracks; clean and seal if needed.
• Summer: Keep heavy planters and dumpsters off edges. Watch irrigation so water doesn’t pond.
• Fall: Clean the surface before sealing. Address drainage so that meltwater cannot stand on the slab.
• Winter: Skip de-icers in year one. In later years, follow temperature limits and use only what you need. Below very low pavement temperatures, sand is safer than salt. 

Common driveway issues and fixes

• Random cracking: Often a joint layout or timing issue. Future cuts can be adjusted; visible cracks can sometimes be routed and sealed. 
• Surface scaling after winter: Usually a combination of finishing, curing, and de-icer exposure. Resurfacing plus a penetrating sealer can restore appearance and durability. 
• Pop-outs or dusting: Can stem from finishing or early weather exposure. A professional evaluation tells you if spot repairs or an overlay make more sense.

Why work with Elite Concrete Restoration

Calgary weather is unique. Elite Concrete Restoration plans pours around conditions, uses mixes and protection suited to our freeze–thaw cycles, and applies breathable sealers that stand up to salts. The team focuses on sound base prep, smart jointing, weather-aware placement, and proper curing so your driveway looks right and lasts. 

Conclusion

A long-lasting concrete driveway is not luck. It is a good base prep, the right thickness and joints, climate-appropriate mix, weather-smart placement, proper curing, and regular protection. Follow the steps above, and you cut down on cracks, scaling, and early repairs.

Ready to install or restore a driveway that can handle Calgary’s seasons? Talk to Elite Concrete Restoration to plan your project the right way.