How do you prepare a new concrete driveway?

Ensure there is enough room by the stakes to set the forms on. Use shovels and rakes to make sure there are no weeds, large rocks and stones left within the area. Then add the forms, fill in the area with at least 4 inches of fill sand, stone or gravel and wire-mesh reinforcement as a solid base for the concrete.

What do I need to know about concrete driveways?

Concrete is an exceedingly durable surface. When well installed and well cared for, a concrete slab can last 50 years or more. Concrete driveways are very strong. Well installed with the proper base and reinforcement, they will stand up to the heaviest vehicles you are likely to drive.

How long does a new concrete driveway take to cure?

When waiting for concrete to dry, keep these timeframes in mind: 24 to 48 hours – after inital set, forms can be removed and people can walk on the surface. 7 days – after partial curing, traffic from vehicles and equipment is okay. 28 days – at this point, the concrete should be fully cured.

How thick should a concrete driveway be?

four inches
As for thickness, non-reinforced pavement four inches thick is standard for passenger car driveways. For heavier vehicles, a thickness of five inches is recommended. To eliminate standing water, the driveway should be sloped towards the street a minimum of one percent, or 1/8 inch per foot, for proper drainage.

How much does a concrete driveway base cost?

Depending on what the driveway will be used for, the base may need to be 4 to 12 inches. Ideally, 6 inches of crushed stone or gravel should be used for most driveways. Proper application requires that the driveway hole be dug out, and the soil has to be prepared.

What does a bad concrete job look like?

Honeycombing This sign of poor workmanship looks like multiple air pockets and voids in the concrete. This may look like rough surfaces on the exterior but can present as dangerous empty spaces deep inside the cement.

How thick should driveway concrete be?

Do you put rebar in concrete driveway?

Using Rebar Rebar is best used in a driveway for which 5-6 inches of concrete can be poured. This is because rebar is comparatively thicker than galvanized mesh reinforcement. The proper way to use rebar reinforcement is to ensure that it is laid in the center or slightly above the center of the slab’s thickness.

How long after concrete is poured can you Drive on it?

DON’T subject new concrete to excessive weight. Although concrete will harden soon after pouring, it’s still susceptible to damage from weight during the first four weeks. Wait at least 24 hours before allowing foot traffic, including pets, on a newly poured sidewalk or slab, and don’t drive a vehicle on a new driveway for at least 10 days.

When is my concrete driveway ready to drive on?

When Is It Ready to Drive On? Concrete is a top choice for driveways because once it is properly cured, it can last for up to 50 years. The key to getting nearly a half-century worth of use out of your concrete is being patient at first and letting it reach the hardness that it needs. You should keep everything off of the concrete for 48 hours.

What are the biggest mistakes when pouring a concrete driveway?

One of the biggest mistakes that I have seen in pouring new concrete driveways is that the reinforcement mesh is not lifted into the middle of the concrete. Having the wire at the bottom of the slab is worthless. They are supposed to pull it up to the middle as they place the concrete.

How long does it take for concrete to harden after pouring?

Although concrete will harden soon after pouring, it’s still susceptible to damage from weight during the first four weeks. Wait at least 24 hours before allowing foot traffic, including pets, on a newly poured sidewalk or slab, and don’t drive a vehicle on a new driveway for at least 10 days.