Reaching To The Roots: What’s Involved In Laying A Concrete Driveway?

Homeowners choose to pave their driveways for a variety of reasons. Maybe they want to improve the look of their home or increase its value, or perhaps they need a driveway that can handle heavy traffic. Whatever the reason, laying a concrete driveway is not as easy as it seems! Before starting such a project, there are many things to consider, from the type of concrete to the thickness and finishing.

In this blog post, Quality Asphalt will go over all the steps involved in laying a concrete driveway so you can decide whether this is the right initiative for you. Ready? Let’s go!

Laying Concrete: What You Need to Know?

When we talk about concrete, there are two main types: ready-mix and site-mixed.

Deciding On the Concrete Mix

As the names imply, ready-mix is concrete that is mixed at a plant and then delivered to your job site, while site-mixed is concrete that is mixed onsite. Both types have pros and cons, but ready-mix is generally more expensive and much easier to work with. For the average homeowner, we recommend using ready-mix concrete for your driveway project.

What About the Thickness?

Once you’ve decided on the type of concrete you want to use; the next step is to determine the thickness of your driveway. The industry standard for residential driveways is four inches. Still, depending on the weight of the vehicles that will be using it and the soil underneath, your driveway might need to be thicker. Six inches is generally the thickest that you’ll need to go.

The thickness of your driveway is critical because it will affect both the strength of your driveway and how long it lasts. A thicker driveway is more durable and can withstand more weight, but it will also be more expensive.

How Do I Prepare the Ground?

Once you’ve decided on the type and thickness of concrete you want to use, it’s time to start prepping up the ground for your new driveway. The first step is to remove any existing grass or vegetation from the area where your driveway will be located. You’ll also need to level the land, so it’s nice and flat.

If you have a very large area to prepare, you may want to consider renting a Bobcat or similar piece of equipment. This will make the job go much faster and help ensure the ground is properly leveled.

Once the ground is prepared, you’ll need to install some formwork. This frame will hold the concrete in place while it dries. You can either buy ready-made formwork or build your own. If you’re unsure how to do this, hiring a professional is best.

How Do I Pour the Concrete?

Once the formwork is in place, you’re ready to pour the concrete. This is best done with a concrete mixer, as it will ensure that the concrete is properly mixed. If you don’t have a concrete mixer, you can mix the concrete by hand, but it’s much more challenging work.

Once the concrete is mixed, pour it into the formwork and smooth it out with a trowel.

Let The Pros at Quality Asphalt Help You Out!

Quality Asphalt serving Howard is a full-service asphalt company that can handle all your asphalt needs, from maintenance to paving. We also specialize in concrete work, including driveways, sidewalks, patios, and more. Whether you need a new driveway or your existing driveway needs repairs, we can help. Contact us today for a free estimate!

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »