Concrete Poured to Last Through Maryland Winters, Not Just the First One

It depends on the county and on whether the entrance at the street changes. Baltimore and Anne Arundel counties require a residential access permit for a new or modified entrance onto a county road, even when the curb is not touched. Howard County requires a free driveway permit when the driveway footprint changes and, as the county describes it, not for a same-footprint replacement. Carroll County requires a permit and a refundable bond for a new entrance onto a county road. If your driveway meets a state highway, MDOT SHA issues the entrance permit. Towns such as Westminster, Hampstead, Manchester, and Annapolis have their own rules. We confirm the requirement for your address as part of the estimate.

Residential driveways are commonly poured 4 to 5 inches thick over a compacted stone base, with a thickened edge and extra depth where vehicles turn or where a heavier truck, camper, or trailer will park. The apron in the public right-of-way is set by the county: Baltimore and Anne Arundel counties specify 7 inches minimum with county-approved concrete. We size the slab for how you will actually use it, not the minimum.

Concrete shrinks as it cures, so hairline cracks are normal. The goal is to control where they happen. We place control joints at spacing matched to the slab thickness, separate the slab from the house and curb with expansion material, reinforce the slab, and pour over a properly compacted base. That combination keeps cracks in the joints and keeps panels from moving.

Foot traffic is typically fine after about 24 to 48 hours. Parking a car usually waits about 7 days, and heavy vehicles longer, depending on temperature and mix. We give you specific dates for your pour and protect the slab while it cures.

A poured concrete patio costs less per square foot, gives you a smooth, continuous surface, and can be broom-finished, colored, or stamped. Pavers cost more but can be lifted and re-set if the base ever moves, and offer more pattern options. Either one depends on the same compacted base and drainage pitch. We build both and will price the option that fits your budget and style.

Yes. Demolition and haul-away of the existing concrete or asphalt are itemized on your estimate. Pouring over old concrete is not something we recommend for driveways because the new slab inherits every problem in the old one.

That section, the apron, sits in the public right-of-way, so the county controls its thickness, slope, and how it meets the curb, and in Baltimore and Anne Arundel counties the property owner is responsible for maintaining it. When your project includes the apron, we build it to the county detail and coordinate the required permit and inspection.

Concrete can be placed in cool weather with the right mix and protection, but we avoid pouring when temperatures will fall below freezing during curing or when heavy rain is expected. Late fall and early spring pours may need blankets and a few extra days before use. We will tell you if your schedule is better served by waiting.