How to Do a Concrete Driveway
A concrete driveway increases a home's value, adding a clean, bright surface to the landscape. Installing a concrete driveway requires a lot of time, preparation and effort. Pour concrete for a permanent, durable, virtually maintenance-free and long-lasting driveway. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Stakes
- Tape measure
- Shovel
- Tamper
- 2"x6"s
- 1"x2"s
- Crushed stone
- Reinforcing wire
- Bull float
- Trowel
- Curing compound
Instructions
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1
Obtain proper permits and follow all local ordinances.
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Place stakes in the ground to mark the area for the concrete driveway. Measure from side to side and top to bottom, ensure widths and lengths are equal throughout.
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Excavate the staked out area, dig down 10 inches.
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4
Level the base of the excavated ground, removing high spots and filling in low spots.
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5
Compact the soil with a tamper, which you can rent from a tool rental center, hardware store or home improvement store.
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Frame the edges of the excavation with 2"x6"s, pushed up against the outside edges of the excavated area. This framing acts as a concrete form, which keeps poured concrete within the excavated area.
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Lay 1"x2" every 6 square feet to work as expansion joints. Expansion joints permit the concrete to move, preventing cracking.
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Pour 3 inches of crushed on the base of the excavation; level the stone to fill in low spots and knock down high spots.
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Place reinforcing wire on top of the crushed stone. This strengthens the concrete.
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Order a 4,000-psi concrete pour from a ready-mix concrete delivery company. PSI refers to the amount of weight concrete bears.
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Spray water over the stone bed immediately prior to the pour.
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Pour concrete into the corner of the form extending towards the center, make sure the reinforcing wire does not move.
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Use a bull float to level the surface of the wet concrete. A bull float resembles a large trowel attached to a pole.
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Use a trowel to separate the concrete from the forms.
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Spray curing compound over the concrete surface and let the concrete dry fully before use.
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Tips & Warnings
Let the new concrete surface set for five to seven days before driving on it.
Wear safety glasses, gloves and safety boots to avoid injury.
References
- Photo Credit Freshly Poured Cement on a Construction Site image by Empath from Fotolia.com
