Concrete care & FAQ
Straight answers from a licensed Ocala concrete crew — cure times, cracking, sealing, permits, and how to keep your new slab, driveway, or patio looking great across Marion County.
Frequently Asked
Concrete questions, answered.
The questions homeowners around Ocala and Marion County ask us most — covering cure times, cracking, sealing, and the prep that makes a slab last in Florida's heat and rain.
How long before I can walk on or drive on new concrete?
As a general rule, you can walk on fresh concrete after about 24 hours and drive a car or light vehicle on it after roughly 7 days. Full strength takes about 28 days, so keep heavy trucks, dumpsters, and equipment off the slab until then. We'll give you exact timing for your pour based on the weather and mix.
Why does concrete crack, and how do control joints help?
All concrete shrinks slightly as it cures, and our Florida heat speeds that up. Control joints are the straight grooves you see cut into a slab — they give the concrete a planned place to crack out of sight instead of randomly across the surface. Proper joint spacing, a compacted base, and rebar or mesh keep cracking minimal and controlled.
Should I seal my concrete?
Sealing is a smart move in Central Florida. A good sealer helps your driveway, patio, or sidewalk shrug off rain, oil stains, and UV fading, and it makes cleanup easier. We recommend letting new concrete cure fully — about 28 days — before the first seal, then resealing every few years depending on wear and sun exposure.
What is the best time of year to pour in Central Florida?
We pour year-round in Marion County. The trick is working around heat and afternoon storms — pouring early in the day, planning for proper curing, and watching the rain. Cooler, drier stretches make scheduling easier, but with the right prep and curing practices we get strong, clean results in any season.
Do you handle permits and inspections?
Yes. CSP Concrete pulls permits where they're required in Marion County and coordinates the inspections that go with the work. We're licensed and insured (Marion County, FL License #18069), so the paperwork is handled the right way and your concrete is built to local code.
How do I care for a new driveway or patio?
Keep heavy loads off it during the first week, and avoid de-icing chemicals (not that we get much ice). Rinse off oil, fertilizer, and stains promptly, and keep it sealed every few years. Beyond that, concrete is one of the lowest-maintenance surfaces you can own — a quick rinse and the occasional reseal keeps it looking sharp for decades.
What prep work does CSP handle before the pour?
The pour is the easy part — the prep is what makes it last. We handle grading and a compacted base, set clean and accurate forms, and install rebar or wire mesh reinforcement sized for the job. We also plan drainage and control joints so water sheds away and the slab stays sound through Florida's wet season.
Do you do concrete removal and replacement?
We do. If your existing slab, driveway, or sidewalk is cracked, sunken, or worn out, we tear out the old concrete, re-prep the base, and repour fresh. You get a free, on-site, written estimate up front so you know exactly what the tear-out and replacement will cost before we start.
Service Area
Marion County ZIP codes we pour in.
We serve Ocala, Belleview, Silver Springs, Summerfield, Dunnellon, Marion Oaks, Ocklawaha, and the surrounding ZIP codes below. Don't see your area? Reach out and we'll confirm we can get to you.
Still Have Questions?
Talk to a real concrete crew.
If your question isn't covered above, give us a call or send a message. Estimates are free, on-site, written, and no-pressure — and we'll walk your project with you before you commit to a thing.
- Licensed & insured — Marion County, FL License #18069
- Locally owned & operated in Ocala, FL
- Free, written, no-pressure estimates
Free estimates · No pressure
Ready to pour new concrete in Ocala?
Tell us about your driveway, slab, patio, or sidewalk project. We'll measure the site, walk you through finish options, and send a clear written estimate — usually within a day or two.