Concrete driveway advice

[safetyfast]

I'm thinking of looking at putting in a concrete driveway, or at least good size pads in front of the garages. My builder has put in a gravel driveway, which looks like he prepared very well, so I figure I've got a good subbase. Concrete is running about $100/ yard here. The drive is probably about 450 foot long. What do I need to look for? What should I expect forming, steel and finishing to cost approx? Is there anything within reason I can do upfront to keep the cost down?

 

[rotus7]

You can do all of it if you want. Sub-base is done it sounds like. Now you need to form up the edges. Unless code requires it in your area, you don't need steel reinforcing, like welded wire mesh or rebar. You can order the fiber add for reinforcing. If you get a few friends and rent the equipment, you can place it yourself, all you have to do is tell the driver where to start pouring. The harder part is finishing it. But it's not all that difficult. My suggestion is to read up on concrete placement. Go to the library, google online, find a book at Lowes or HD. It all depends on how much you are willing to do. Don't get me wrong, it's hard work, especially if you've never done it before, but it's not impossible. Give your concrete supplier a call, they can figure out how much you need and tell you what strength and add mixtures you need. The may even be able to suggest some subcontractors or someone with experience looking for sidework.

 

[Wardrum]

You can do all of it if you want. Sub-base is done it sounds like. Now you need to form up the edges. Unless code requires it in your area, you don't need steel reinforcing, like welded wire mesh or rebar. You can order the fiber add for reinforcing. If you get a few friends and rent the equipment, you can place it yourself, all you have to do is tell the driver where to start pouring. The harder part is finishing it. But it's not all that difficult. My suggestion is to read up on concrete placement. Go to the library, google online, find a book at Lowes or HD. It all depends on how much you are willing to do. Don't get me wrong, it's hard work, especially if you've never done it before, but it's not impossible. Give your concrete supplier a call, they can figure out how much you need and tell you what strength and add mixtures you need. The may even be able to suggest some subcontractors or someone with experience looking for sidework.

Rotus7 is right....you and a few friends can do it.....but his best advice is probably in the last line when he suggested someone with experience to help. 450' is a lot of concrete to place and finish. If you don't have any experience, I would suggest you pour the pad in front of the garage first to see if you think you can handle the whole thing.

 

[safetyfast]

I wasn't really planning on finishing it, just wondered if there was anything I could do up front. What should I expect to pay for forms and finish?

 

[04 Navi]

I wasn't really planning on finishing it, just wondered if there was anything I could do up front. What should I expect to pay for forms and finish?

Sounds a little like mine, although mine is not quite as long. My driveway was a 130yds and it ran $3.70 a foot, complete with prep, sub base, forms and clean up. I didn't do a thing other than write the check.

 

[04 Navi]

I went smooth so we could do this.

 

[safetyfast]

That looks like fun!

 

[rotus7]

I see lot's of black rubber marks in your future!

 

[04 Navi]

Something like this?

 

[beetroot72]

Something like this?

Sweet!

 

[christian]

Navi, looks exactly like my driveway except I think I have a few more marks.

I'll take some pics tomorrow.

 

[04 Navi]

Getting new tires monday, so why not.

 

[bmwpower]

Dude, why would you ever do that to your beautiful driveway????

I'm trying to rid myself of tire marks around my neighborhood and you do it in your own driveway...lol

 

[ImportTuner]

How do you clean the rubber tracks off you driveway?

 

[04 Navi]

Why would I want to clean them off? Seriously though, the concrete is finished smooth with a sealer, so in a few days they are pretty much gone. Hey the driveway is so smooth that this winter when it rained and then froze hard, all I had to do was take the leaf blower out and "blow" the ice off the driveway. Nothing sticks to it.

 

[ownsaglock]

Wow you have a beautiful place. That kind of drive takes a group of professionals.

I wouldnt recommend tackling any part of a 450' driveway. That is A LOT of work. I had 2 friends that are finishers by trade help me & my brother with my drive extension that was 20'x12' and it was a chore. I used fiber in mine but we also put a light broom finish on it since I would break my neck on a mirror finish like that. Some people dont like fiber because the fibers stick above the surface and dont allow as smooth of a surface. They break off but still people complain. Fiber does work. I think better than wire fabric for home flat work since most people stomp the fabric down onto the subgrade during the pour and render it usless.

There are alot of opinions on concrete so be prepared. If you find a contractor ask for references and go look at thier work. Some guys are artists while others just slop the stuff in.