The top mistakes to avoid when installing your driveway are improper base preparation, insufficient concrete thickness, and inadequate reinforcement. Professional concreters in Mornington know that these issues often arise when people try to perform the concreting job on their own.
It’s important to get help from an expert in concrete to ensure the project is completed with the best results. Failing to do so can lead to increased costs overall.
For this blog, we’ll expound on these mistakes so you can avoid them when installing a concrete driveway.
Improper Base Preparation
The base of a concrete driveway is the foundation upon which the concrete is poured. The base must be prepared appropriately to ensure that the driveway remains stable and level. The following are some key aspects of base preparation that you should keep in mind:
- Compaction: The soil beneath the base must be properly compacted to prevent settling and shifting of the concrete. A compactor machine is often used to achieve this.
- Grading: The base should be graded to ensure proper drainage of water away from the driveway. Water that accumulates on the surface can weaken the concrete and cause cracking and other damage.
- Soil type: Different soil types have different properties and must be prepared in different ways. Clay soils, for example, retain water and can become unstable when wet. Sandier soils, however, drain more quickly but can shift if not adequately prepared.
Want to learn about the pros and cons of exposed aggregate in concrete? Read our blog to find out.
Insufficient Concrete Thickness
The thickness of the concrete is one of the most critical factors in determining its durability and longevity. A concrete driveway that is too thin will crack and deteriorate quickly, while one that is too thick can be unnecessarily expensive. The following are some key points to keep in mind when deciding on the thickness of your driveway:
- Load-bearing capacity: The thickness of the driveway should be determined by the amount of weight it will need to support. A heavier vehicle will require a thicker driveway than a lighter one.
- Climate: In areas with a freeze-thaw cycle, a thicker driveway is necessary to prevent damage from frost heaving.
- Location: Driveways that are located on a slope or hill will need to be thicker to prevent sliding or shifting of the concrete.
Inadequate Reinforcement
Reinforcement is essential for preventing cracking and increasing the strength of the concrete. Steel rebar or mesh is often used to reinforce the concrete. The following are some key aspects of reinforcement that you should keep in mind:
- Placement: The reinforcement should be placed in the center of the concrete slab, where it will most effectively prevent cracking.
- Spacing: The reinforcement should be spaced correctly to ensure that it effectively reinforces the concrete. The spacing will depend on the thickness of the concrete and the load it will need to support.
- Type of reinforcement: Different types of reinforcement have different properties and are used in different situations. Steel rebar is commonly used, while fiber mesh reinforcement is becoming more popular due to its ease of use.
Want to learn about the benefits of a concrete driveway? Check out our post to know more.
