How long should concrete actually last in Far North Queensland?
Properly poured concrete in Far North Queensland should comfortably last 30 to 50 years. But the gap between 'comfortably' and 'cracked in five years' usually comes down to a handful of decisions made before the truck ever arrives.
Up here we ask concrete to handle more than most places. Driveways bake in the dry, then get hammered by months of wet. Slabs sit on reactive clays that swell and shrink with every season. UV chews through unsealed surfaces faster than anyone expects.
The biggest factors in lifespan are base preparation, reinforcement, and the mix design. A 100mm slab on poorly compacted fill will not last as long as a 100mm slab on a properly prepared base - even with the same concrete. Get the prep right and the rest follows.
Sealing matters too, especially on exposed aggregate and coloured finishes. A reseal every five to seven years up here is sensible. Skip it and the surface will still hold up structurally, but it'll look tired well before its time.
Placeholder content - Shane will expand this with real local examples and product recommendations.
"Get the base prep right and the concrete looks after itself. Skip it and no mix on the truck will save you."
- Shane Tusel, founder
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