Frequently Asked Questions

How does Van Midde and Son Concrete Install Pavers Better?
Van Midde & Son Concrete has been installing interlocking paver driveways in Marin and North Bay counties for over 15 years. We take great pride in saying the way we install an interlocking paver driveway is better than the competition. Here are a few ways that we feel we do a better job. Van Midde & Son excavates and installs a concrete footing at the edge of the driveway or patio. The footing typically is 8 inches wide and 6 inches deep. We place 1/2 inch rebar in the footing that runs continuously.

The reason behind this is that a concrete footing at the outside edge keeps the base rock isolated and locked inside so there is less chance of settlement. The base rock is crcal to the longevity of the driveway or patio. Some companies simply mortar down the outside row of Interlocking Pavers to the base rock. This offers little strength if a car tires were to roll over the edge. The outside row would simply crumble on a wet day. Van Midde & Son's use of the footing and mortaring the Interlocking Pavers down to the footing makes your new driveway or patio truly something that will stand the test of time. The Europeans have been using Pavers for their roads for hundreds of years. The beauty of Pavers is that if they are used around existing trees and the tree roots disrupt the patio or driveway years after installation, the pavers can be lifted up and reset to accommodate the tree's growth. If there were a utility problem which required the Pavers to be removed, this can easily be done and replaced for the repair. The Pavers would be able to be reused so they will match the unaffected areas. Patios typically have approximately 4 inches of compacted road base and driveways have between 5 and 6 inches of base. Base rock is used under the roadways we drive on everyday. The base is compacted - then asphalt or concrete is laid on top. This common building material is what we use for our patio and driveway installations. We believe that our patios and driveways are superior to our competitors because we make the extra effort in sub grade preparation. The patio or driveway is only as good as its base. The footing that we install gives us the confidence in saying our installations are better. Van Midde & Son Concrete also uses a Paver Seal in all of our work. The Paver Seal helps lock in the sand which is spread into the joints of the Pavers. The sand helps lock the Pavers in tightly and helps to limit movement. The seal also helps protect from weeds growing up between the joints. This step ensures that your patio or driveway will also be protected from stains. It is a combination of these two things which give our customers confidence that their driveway or patio is done right and no corners have been cut. Making an investment like a new patio or driveway at your home is a big decision. We want to tell any one interested in getting a job done like this to get it done professionally. Our crews are experienced in all aspects of the demolition of existing to installation of the new paver driveways or patios. We have all the equipment we need to get the job done properly and in a timely manner. When we get started on your home you can rest assured that we will finish the job as quickly as possible with a minimum of inconvenience. Call us or email us today for an estimate that will transform your home into the envy of the neighborhood.

Why should I choose concrete instead of asphalt?

Concrete is more durable than asphalt. The strength of concrete is approximately 3000 psi which gives it a tremendous compressive strength. Driving cars, trucks or recreational vehicles on it or using it for your backyard patio will last for 50 to 100 years without any major maintenance. Asphalt on the other hand needs to be resealed every 10 to 15 years and will need to be completely replaced in 20 to 25 years. So the amount of time concrete will last is at least double to triple that of asphalt. In most cases the cost is not that different for a slab of concrete versus asphalt. Concrete is more versatile, the finishes that can be applied range in the dozens versus asphalt which has only a few.

Why does concrete crack?

Concrete can crack because of a lot of factors. Some old slabs are cracked because someone planted a tree too close by and the roots have gotten under the slab. This is probably the most common thing we see when we go to a job to give an estimate. If it hadn't been for the roots the concrete would still be fine. Also many older driveways didn't have any reinforcing steel installed in them. The reinforcing steel helps to hold the slab together and increases its flexible strength. Many concrete slabs that were poured many years ago didn't take into account shrinkage, which concrete does over the course of a year. Concrete expands and contracts with the seasons. It absorbs water in the winter and expands and dries out in the summer, thus causing expansion and contraction. Joints need to be installed in the slab to account for this movement. We typically use a deep joint tool which leaves a groove in the surface of the slab. These can be done in a pattern to help make the concrete more decorative. Typically they would be no farther than every ten feett on center. We use the most modern techniques in concrete construction. We utilize rebar and crack control joints and use the most crack resistant concrete available. Van Midde and Son Concrete slabs and driveways will last for at least 50 years and I expect them to last 100.

Be sure to check out our other entries in the concrete blog here.

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