Concrete Driveways

 

Let’s talk about building a concrete driveway.

Concrete driveways are permanent fixtures that require minimal upkeep and can improve your homes appearance. This helps either when you are just trying to change the appearance of your property, or if you are trying to sell it. Roller-skating and biking can be done safely in your own driveway, rather than letting your children on the street. Concrete driveways can be costly, but the rewards are endless.

The following steps can be used if you are a die-hard do-it-yourselfer!

First, you should start with a plan. Your driveway should be easy on the eyes, fully functional, and most importantly- durable.

Think of where you will be entering the driveway from. Are cards going to be able to see you pulling out? Will you be able to see them? Circle driveways are beneficial if there are blind corners in your area. You could also make your driveway wide enough to turn around.

RollerIs your land flat, or on a hill? If it’s on a hill, pay attention to the way in which the water drains to prevent the soil from eroding. Also make sure that you don’t make your driveway too steep for your car!

Is there anything in the way of where you would like your driveway placed? Some rocks and most trees can be hard to remove without renting heavy equipment. Develop it so you can curve around them or avoid them all together.

Second, take the cost of making the driveway into account. Figure out how much concrete is needed for the project, which forms you are using, and any material that you would be using to reinforce the concrete. Think of rented equipment and labor as well.

Third, see if you need a special permit to complete your driveway. If you are making your driveway go right up to the street, you need to check into storm runoffs and buried utilities, among other things.

Fourth, check out your soil. If your soil is soft, sandy, or loose, you will need to add to it in order to support the concrete. Clay can be added to sandy soils. Gravel or sand can be added to loamy soils. Builders or engineers can help you determine your soil type, and what, if anything, needs to be done. You don’t want your concrete to fail after spending so much time and money on the project!

Fifth, plan out the sides of your new driveway. Small stakes can be used where the driveway will touch the street and near your home. If you tie a rope to them, you can visualize what your driveway is going to look like when it is complete.

Sixth, measure how wide you want your driveway to be. Make sure it fits together nicely with the plan you created. A typical width for a residential driveway is eight feet, but ten or twelve is a little better. For a driveway with two lanes, you should have a width of sixteen feet. (Minimum)

Seventh, make sure there is no vegetation or sod in the way after you have established the lines of your driveway. If the soil is soft, remember to remove enough so that filler can be put down before the concrete. Fillers such as gravel or crushed stone are recommended for use in colder climates to prevent cracking due to freezing conditions and the expansion of water.

Eighth, before you add any fillers or forms research to see if there are any underground utilities that have to be reworked or installed. Passages for outside power and light, water lines, and telephone lines, are things that you need to check for. If you property slopes, you may also need underground water drainage. A culvert pipe might have to be installed if water flows perpendicular to your new driveway.

Ninth, install lumber forms for your driveway. Usually these are 1x4 or 2x4 boards that are held in place by wooden stakes. A sledgehammer is used to drive the stakes in, in order to keep the forms aligned and stable. Strong, but flexible, plywood may be used for curved driveways.

Tenth, maneuver your soil or filler so that your concrete will be the correct thickness. Typical driveways are four inches thick. But, if you have a heavier vehicle or tough soil conditions you should make your driveway thicker. You can tie a string to across one of your forms and measure down to the correct depth, or use a straightedge. Add or remove any fill material with a shovel. For additional strength, you may also want to thicken or deepen the edges. This will also decrease any cracking that might occur. Usually the edges are eight inches deep and up to twelve inches wide.

Eleventh, you want to compact the soil with the fill materials if you are using them. This can be done with a compacter rented from your local equipment rental location, or by driving a car over the soil repeatedly. If it is extremely soft, make sure your vehicle doesn’t get stuck! The compact soil is what will support the concrete and your vehicle, so it is very important that it is extremely tight.

Twelfth, you can put in steel to reinforce the driveway. Reinforcing bars can be tied in place, usually a number 4 rebar on 12 inch centers, or 6x6 welded wire fabrics. As another option at the concrete facility, polypropylene fiber reinforcing can be added.

Thirteenth, carefully plan the placement of your concrete. You will need tools, help, and room for the concrete truck to maneuver. You can also wheelbarrow the concrete, although this is an extremely strenuous method. A concrete pumping contractor may be able to assist you if you cannot get the truck in a desirable location.

Fourteenth, pour your concrete and finish as desired. The surface should be as flat as you are able to get it to avoid standing water. You will also need to make sure that the surface is not too smooth for the traction on your car. You can use a broom to go over the concrete to assist in making traction.

Fifteenth, create a barrier that retains moisture on the surface of the concrete, either with plastic sheets or with a chemical curing compound. You don’t want it to dry out too quickly. You should protect your new driveway for up to a week against extreme weather conditions for it to achieve maximum durability.

Sixteenth, try it out! After you allow you driveway to cure for up to seven days, drive your car over it to test its usability and functionality.

Lastly, remove your forms and repair any damaged landscaping!