These are the questions that fit none of our other guides. If yours is missing, call (480) 771-7722 and ask.
How long does a concrete driveway last?
A well-built concrete driveway commonly lasts 30 years or more, and the dry, frost-free climate here is on its side. What shortens its life in Scottsdale is a poor base, water from irrigation along the edges, and vehicles heavier than it was built for.
Can I pour concrete myself or should I hire someone?
A small pad is a fair do-it-yourself project: a trash can pad, an AC pad or a few stepping pads. Anything larger is hard for a first-timer here, because the concrete stiffens fast in dry heat and there is one chance to finish it. A driveway or a patio of any size is a job for a crew.
Can I pour a small shed pad with bags from the store?
Yes, for a small shed. Bagged mix works if you set level forms, compact the ground, mix each bag with only the water the label calls for, and work in the cool of the morning. Count the bags first: an 8x10 pad 4 inches thick takes about a cubic yard, which is roughly 45 bags of the 80-pound size. Past that, a short-load delivery is easier.
I poured my own walkway and it cracked and sank. Do I redo it or hire someone?
First work out why it failed. Sinking means the ground under it was loose. Cracking means it was thin, had no joints or dried too fast. If you are willing to dig out, compact a proper base and form it again, you can redo it yourself. If the walk is long, sloped or runs past irrigation, hiring it out the second time usually costs less than a third attempt.
How do I get oil stains out of concrete?
Soak up fresh oil with cat litter, then scrub with a concrete degreaser and hot water. Old oil stains need a poultice, which is a degreaser mixed into an absorbent powder, left to dry on the spot and swept away. Expect to repeat it. Hot summer slabs pull oil in deep, so some stains fade without fully going. A sealed driveway cleans up far more easily.
Can an old concrete floor be stained or dyed?
Yes. An old concrete floor can be stained once the carpet glue, paint and sealer are ground off. Stain is translucent, so tack-strip holes, patches and old cracks stay visible, and many people like that character. Stained and polished slab floors suit desert houses because the bare slab stays cool. Do a test patch first.
A customer tripped outside my business. Am I liable?
Whether you are liable is for your insurer and an attorney to judge on the facts. As a general rule, whoever controls a walking surface is expected to keep it reasonably safe and to fix or mark hazards they know about. Photograph the spot, tell your insurer and repair the hazard quickly. This is general information, not legal advice.
Can sections be replaced while my business stays open?
Yes. Walks and parking areas are replaced in phases so there is always one open route to the door while the business stays open. We fence off the work area, pour early in the morning before trading hours where we can, and tell you when each section can take foot traffic and vehicles.
What does a basketball pad or sport court need?
A basketball pad needs a flat slab with a slight, even fall for drainage, a light broom or sport finish, and joints placed so they do not cross the key. A half court takes a lot of concrete, so truck access matters. No national price is published for sport courts, so we price them after seeing the site. Check your HOA rules on courts and hoops first.
Does concrete get too hot to walk on here?
Yes, in summer any paving in direct sun can burn bare feet and paws. Light colours stay cooler than dark ones, and a textured or acrylic-coated surface is more comfortable than smooth gray. Around a pool, pick the finish with that in mind and plan some shade.
Do earthquakes or frost matter for concrete in Scottsdale?
Hardly. The ground does not freeze, so frost heave is not a concern. Scottsdale's residential code amendments place the city in seismic design category B, which is a low level, so earthquake detailing is a matter for the building code and the engineer on structures, not for a driveway or patio.
Your own price comes from a free visit, a tape measure and a written quote. Call (480) 771-7722 or text a photo of the area.