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A client's offhand comment about his driveway made me stop and think.

He said, 'I don't care if it's perfect, I just want it to last.' I've been so focused on getting a flawless finish that I was using a mix that was too rich for the freeze-thaw cycles here in Denver. What's your go-to mix for durability over looks in a tough climate?
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3 Comments
jordan_king
That line about "I just want it to last" hits home. Everyone gets stuck on the smooth finish. For freeze-thaw, you need a mix that can breathe a little and handle getting wet. I'd skip the fancy stuff and go with a standard 5-sack mix, but make sure they use a good air-entraining admixture. It puts tiny bubbles in the concrete so ice has room to expand without cracking. Looks aren't as important as getting that right.
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alice_wright36
So what's the best way to make sure they actually add that air stuff right? Seen too many crews skip it to save five minutes.
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markhall
markhall26d agoTop Commenter
Aren't five sacks a bit low for driveway strength?
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