Recently Asked Questions
Browse the latest concrete questions from New Brunswick homeowners.
How do concrete contractors in New Brunswick typically price foundation crack injection repair — by the linear foot, by the number of ports, or as a flat project rate?
Most NB concrete contractors price foundation crack injection as a flat per-crack rate, though the method varies and und...
What type of concrete mix is best for a new foundation in the Sussex area where soil has high clay content and poor drainage?
For a new foundation in Sussex with clay soil and poor drainage, you need a minimum 30 MPa air-entrained mix with a low...
Can stamped concrete be matched to the historic stonework patterns on a 1920s home in Saint Andrews NB?
Stamped concrete can closely approximate historic stonework patterns, but achieving a convincing match on a heritage pro...
Can I mix and pour my own concrete for a 10x10 foot backyard patio slab in Fredericton, or should I hire a contractor?
A 10x10 patio slab sits right at the upper edge of what a determined DIYer can handle — but the honest answer is that hi...
What is the slip resistance rating I should request for outdoor concrete steps in a New Brunswick winter climate?
For outdoor concrete steps in New Brunswick, you want a minimum coefficient of friction (COF) of 0.60 for wet conditions...
How does adding fly ash or slag to a concrete mix affect strength and durability for a driveway or patio poured in New Brunswick?
Fly ash and slag are legitimate supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) that can improve long-term strength and dura...
What's the difference between a broom-finished and exposed aggregate driveway for a home near the Fundy coast where salt air and road salt are constant concerns?
For a coastal Fundy property, both finishes can perform well — but exposed aggregate has a meaningful durability edge in...
Can a concrete patio on the back of a Moncton home be poured flush with the back door threshold without causing water intrusion or frost heave problems?
Pouring a patio flush with a door threshold is one of the most common — and most regretted — decisions Moncton homeowner...
How long after pouring should I wait before driving on a new concrete driveway in NB's spring season?
Wait a minimum of 7 days before driving a passenger vehicle on a new concrete driveway, and ideally 28 days before allow...
How do you repair a spalling concrete porch surface on a Saint John home that has been exposed to road salt and freeze-thaw for 20 years?
A 20-year-old Saint John porch with salt and freeze-thaw damage is one of the most common — and most misrepaired — concr...
Is concrete or asphalt more cost-effective over a 20-year period for a residential driveway in Moncton considering repair and resurfacing cycles?
Over a 20-year period in Moncton, concrete is generally more cost-effective than asphalt when you factor in repair and r...
Is it worth paying extra for air-entrained concrete on a residential driveway in Moncton or is standard mix adequate if the contractor uses good curing practices?
Air-entrained concrete is not optional for a Moncton driveway — it is the single most important specification decision y...
How long after a spring thaw should I wait before having a concrete patio poured in the Sussex area to make sure the ground has re-stabilized?
In the Sussex area, waiting until late May to mid-June before pouring a concrete patio gives the ground the best chance...
How long do concrete front steps typically last in New Brunswick before they need to be replaced?
Well-built concrete front steps in New Brunswick typically last 30 to 50 years before requiring full replacement — but p...
My concrete driveway in Dieppe has developed multiple hairline cracks after two winters — is this normal settlement or a sign of a bad pour?
Hairline cracks after two winters in Dieppe are common, but whether they're normal shrinkage or a sign of a problematic...
What household de-icing products are safe to use on a concrete driveway in New Brunswick, and which ones accelerate surface spalling and should be avoided?
The safest de-icing option for a concrete driveway in New Brunswick is plain sand for traction — no chemical de-icer is...
What's the difference in longevity between precast and poured-in-place concrete steps for a front entry in Fredericton where they'll take full salt and plowing exposure?
For a Fredericton front entry taking full salt and plow exposure, poured-in-place concrete steps will significantly outl...
My front concrete steps in Fredericton are delaminating and flaking on the surface after years of salt exposure — can this be ground down and overlaid or is replacement cheaper?
Delaminating concrete steps in Fredericton are almost always better replaced than overlaid — but the honest answer depen...
Can a concrete walkway be poured in late October in New Brunswick, or is that too late in the season to cure properly?
Late October is at the edge of the safe pouring window in New Brunswick — it's possible, but it requires careful plannin...
Can you pour a concrete driveway extension flush against an existing 15-year-old slab in Fredericton without cracking at the joint?
You can pour a concrete driveway extension flush against an existing slab, but the joint between old and new concrete wi...
How do contractors in the Miramichi area handle sloped lots when pouring a patio — do they cut and fill or use a stepped design?
Both approaches are used in the Miramichi area, and the right choice depends on the degree of slope, your soil condition...
Can you pour concrete foundation walls in sections over multiple days in Fredericton, or does the whole pour need to happen at once?
You can pour foundation walls in sections over multiple days, but the approach requires careful planning and creates rea...
What admixtures are added to concrete mixes used in NB to improve resistance to freeze-thaw damage?
The single most important admixture for freeze-thaw resistance in New Brunswick concrete is an air-entraining agent — an...
Is fiber-reinforced concrete worth the extra cost for a driveway in New Brunswick's harsh winter climate?
Fibre-reinforced concrete is worth the modest upcharge for an NB driveway, but only as a supplement to proper air entrai...
How deep do the footings need to be on a poured concrete retaining wall in Fredericton to stay stable through spring frost heave?
In Fredericton, retaining wall footings need to extend a minimum of 4 feet (1.2 metres) below finished grade to get belo...
How thick does a concrete driveway need to be in New Brunswick to handle a loaded pickup truck or delivery van without cracking?
For a residential driveway that needs to handle a loaded pickup truck or delivery van, you need a minimum of 6 inches of...
How often should a stamped concrete patio in the Fredericton area be resealed to protect it from the freeze-thaw cycle and UV fading, and what type of sealer is best?
Stamped concrete in the Fredericton area should be resealed every 1-3 years depending on the sealer type, traffic, and s...
Is a heated concrete driveway system practical in Saint John given the snowfall averages, and what does installation typically add to the cost?
A heated driveway system is technically practical in Saint John, but whether it's financially practical depends heavily...
Can concrete be poured in February in Moncton NB using heated enclosures and what does it add to the cost?
Yes, concrete can be poured in February in Moncton, but it requires a full cold weather concrete program — heated enclos...
What is the price per cubic metre of ready-mix concrete delivered in New Brunswick in 2026?
Ready-mix concrete in New Brunswick typically costs $240-$320 per cubic metre delivered in 2026, depending on the mix st...
Do poured concrete retaining walls in New Brunswick require drainage behind them, and what does improper drainage do over time?
Yes, poured concrete retaining walls in New Brunswick absolutely require proper drainage behind them. Without drainage,...
Do I need a permit to pour a concrete pad for a backyard shed in Fredericton?
For most backyard shed pads in Fredericton, you won't need a permit as long as the shed itself is under 108 square feet...
Can a concrete patio be poured close to a Fundy Bay cottage without damage from high tides or moisture?
Yes, a concrete patio can be built near a Bay of Fundy cottage, but it requires careful planning for the extreme tidal r...
What building permit is required to install a concrete retaining wall over 1 metre high in Dieppe and who inspects it?
In Dieppe, retaining walls over 1 metre (3.3 feet) in height typically require a building permit from the City of Dieppe...
What's the best way to transition between a concrete patio and a wood deck in Fredericton without creating a trip hazard as both shift seasonally?
The best approach is to create a controlled gap between the concrete and wood with a flexible transition strip or leave...
How much does it cost to replace a set of four concrete front steps on a home in Moncton?
Replacing a set of four concrete front steps in Moncton typically costs $2,500-$5,000 fully installed, depending on the...
Can concrete steps be poured directly against a brick foundation in Saint John, or will differential movement crack the connection over time?
Pouring concrete steps directly against a brick foundation in Saint John will likely cause cracking problems over time d...
Does replacing a concrete foundation under an existing house in Saint John require an engineer's stamp under New Brunswick regulations?
Yes, replacing a concrete foundation under an existing house in Saint John absolutely requires an engineer's stamp under...
How much should I budget to repair a heaved and cracked concrete driveway on a Saint John NB property?
Budget $6,000-$15,000 for driveway replacement if the heaving and cracking is severe, or $2,000-$5,000 for partial repai...
What's a realistic cost per square foot for a 6-inch reinforced concrete driveway in the Moncton area including excavation, gravel base, and a basic broom finish?
For a 6-inch reinforced concrete driveway in the Moncton area, expect to pay $12-$18 per square foot fully installed, in...
How much does it cost to pour a new concrete foundation for a 1,200 square foot house in Fredericton in 2026?
A new full basement foundation for a 1,200 square foot house in Fredericton typically costs $18,000-$35,000 in 2026, dep...
Are there NB provincial requirements for the compressive strength of concrete used in residential foundation walls — is 25 MPa the standard or do some jurisdictions require 30 MPa?
The NB Building Code requires a minimum 20 MPa compressive strength for residential foundation walls, but 25 MPa is the...
How do I build a concrete retaining wall on a steep hillside lot in the Saint John River valley?
Building a concrete retaining wall on a steep Saint John River valley hillside is a complex structural project that requ...
How long should you wait before applying an epoxy coating to a newly poured garage floor slab in New Brunswick's humid summer conditions?
You should wait a minimum of 30 days before applying epoxy coating to a new garage floor slab in New Brunswick, and pote...
When is the best time of year to pour concrete for a patio in Fredericton NB to avoid frost and rain delays?
The best time to pour a concrete patio in Fredericton is late May through early September, with June through August bein...
Is it worth resurfacing a deteriorating concrete driveway in Fredericton, or is full replacement more cost-effective after 25 years?
After 25 years in Fredericton's freeze-thaw cycles, full replacement is almost always more cost-effective than resurfaci...
What footing depth is required under concrete front steps in Fredericton so they don't heave or separate from the house over winter?
Concrete front steps in Fredericton require footings extending to a minimum of 4 feet (1.2 metres) below finished grade...
How much more does stamped concrete cost over plain concrete for a 300 sq ft backyard patio in Fredericton and is the premium worth it for resale value?
For a 300 sq ft patio in Fredericton, expect to pay $3,600-$5,400 for stamped concrete versus $3,000-$5,400 for plain br...
How thick should a concrete basement floor be in New Brunswick if you plan to finish the space and install in-floor radiant heat?
A finished basement with in-floor radiant heat in New Brunswick requires a minimum 4-inch thick concrete slab, but 5-6 i...
How do I level a sloped backyard in Moncton for a concrete patio without major excavation?
For a sloped backyard in Moncton, you can level the area for a concrete patio using a combination of strategic cut-and-f...
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