How do I put in a concrete driveway?

Answer 1

Dig out app. 10 inches of soil. Fill 6 inches of hardpack (crushed concrete). This is for drainage and frost heave prevention. Bring in the concrete truck after renting floats and trowels and building frame. The whole driveway should be surrounded by 1X wood or PVC particle board sprayed with wd 40. The side of the 1X facing away from the concrete should have spikes in the ground and fastened to the board. You level the concrete to the top of these boards. It's like a big frame surrounding the project and you should take your time in building it, for level, runoff and evenness. Have a wheelbarrel and a few extra hands ready (the driver charges by the minute after a certain amount of time). The concrete should be fiber reinforced mix. This type eliminates the need for metal screening or Fencing over the hardpack and suspended in the concrete for strength. Be advised, if you're in a snowy region, salt will be your only advisary, don't use it, salt eats concrete. You also need to put in stress gaps from side to side every 8 feet or more depending on width. When the concrete cracks it will crack along these lines. You do this when the concrete starts setting up but is still soft. Finish trowel all the edges. Screen the concrete with a long board across the width (from board top to board top and then use the float to smooth it. Keep a few wheel barrells full of concrete ready so you can get rid of the truck and still have concrete for leveling and fill after a majority of the concrete has been shovelled in. A tool rental agency may have tips and advice also.