question for those some knowledge about concrete

[echo4747]

This spring I hope to have an old concrete driveway removed and new driveway poured. The old driveway (about 20-25 yrs old) has many cracks and some slabs which have sunk a little. I know there is no guarantee the this wont happen with the new driveway. What I would like to know is ; what tips/prep work can be done to give the best chance of sucess ? (i.e may 6" instead of 4" of concrete, maybe more stone for base etc.) I want specify to the various contractors what I want done, some I am comparing apples to apples when looking at their estimates.

btw driveway will be in the western new york area and will see frequent freeze/thaw cycles.

 

[meltdown75]

If you really wanted to go hardcore, you could have rebar wire laid on top of your gravel to give your concrete extra reinforcement. Our new driveway was pre-cut down the middle and every 10' or so to ensure that when it does crack, it cracks on the cuts. I think that is pretty standard for new concrete driveways but I'm sure the rebar wire reinforcement would cost more.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

question for those some knowledge about concrete

It makes great shoes for snitches.

I suppose you could put the guy in the driveway if you want, but that's kinda public - most people use the foundation.

- M4H

 

[blert]

It's all in the prep work- having a proper 4 inch gravel bed that is compacted, using rebar or metal mesh in the concrete. When the slab is poured make sure they use a concrete vibrator on it to eliminate air pockets. The curing process must be followed thru- you'll need to keep a sprinkler on it for a couple of weeks. Concrete continues to cure for up to a year- most people think that after a week or two its good to go...

Buy yourself a good concrete book off of fleabay or amazon for a couple of bucks and educate yourself on the ways of concrete...

 

[0]

You didn't say whether it was on a flat surface or on an incline...

Anyway, to prevent frost heaves, you must have a well drained base. We use a foot of sand (yes a full foot) under the slab. Rebar is good, but having the addition of fiberglass reinforced concrete as well is a must. Have it saw cut the next day.

 

[echo4747]

Originally posted by: 0
You didn't say whether it was on a flat surface or on an incline...

Anyway, to prevent frost heaves, you must have a well drained base. We use a foot of sand (yes a full foot) under the slab. Rebar is good, but having the addition of fiberglass reinforced concrete as well is a must. Have it saw cut the next day.

On an incline.. Do you mean a foot of sand then a gravel base on top of that?

 

[0]

Originally posted by: echo4747

Originally posted by: 0
You didn't say whether it was on a flat surface or on an incline...

Anyway, to prevent frost heaves, you must have a well drained base. We use a foot of sand (yes a full foot) under the slab. Rebar is good, but having the addition of fiberglass reinforced concrete as well is a must. Have it saw cut the next day.

On an incline.. Do you mean a foot of sand then a gravel base on top of that?

No, as in the driveway is sloped up to the garage etc.

 

[911paramedic]

Originally posted by: 0

Originally posted by: echo4747

Originally posted by: 0
You didn't say whether it was on a flat surface or on an incline...

Anyway, to prevent frost heaves, you must have a well drained base. We use a foot of sand (yes a full foot) under the slab. Rebar is good, but having the addition of fiberglass reinforced concrete as well is a must. Have it saw cut the next day.

On an incline.. Do you mean a foot of sand then a gravel base on top of that?

No, as in the driveway is sloped up to the garage etc.

I am with O on this one. We had a patio poured and they used 4" of gravel, rebar, and cement with fast drying additive. (It was poured during a wet season.) Cement is like paint IMHO, the prep makes all the difference. Sounds like you need lots of sand, perhaps gravel on top of that, and thicker cement because you are driving on it. Cement has come a long ways, there may even be a more elastic cement out there now. (I know fiberglass strands helps, like O said, for strength.)

Good site with tips on what to ask a contractor.Just google "cold weather cement driveway" or something like that and I'm sure you will get ALL kinds of info.