How To Build A Concrete Driveway In Sacramento CA, in 8 Easy Steps
If you are planning to build a concrete driveway, you need to follow some basic steps first. You must prepare the land by carefully examining the land drawings and marking underwater utility wires. After that, you must restrict the area you will use as a driveway with stakes or thread. Then, you need to level the area and dig a trench 250mm beneath the ground.
Before laying down the concrete, you should plan the size of the driveway. The concrete should be at least eight feet wide, and double-laned driveways should be ten to twelve feet wide. Aside from being durable, concrete is also attractive. Listed below are a few steps to follow when laying concrete. The first step is to plot out the driveway and other buildings on it. Make sure to measure the driveway, as the width will vary.
Once you have poured the concrete, you must add reinforcement to help it withstand heavier weights. For this purpose, you can use steel rebars arranged in a grid pattern over the pour site. Or, you can buy dedicated concrete wire mesh. These reinforcements will help distribute the weight of your vehicles evenly and will make the concrete stronger. The driveway will look great when you’re done with it!
After pouring the concrete, you must flatten the surface. Make sure you remove excess concrete. You can use a wooden or magnesium hand float to achieve this. However, be careful not to overwork the concrete, as it can tear the surface and result in cracks in the finished driveway. It would help if you spaced the concrete placement along the form. You can also place new batches of concrete one after another, as long as you don’t overlap them.
To ensure perfect flatness, level the subgrade. This is the earth beneath the gravel or subbase layer. Then, using a hand tamper with a long, flat handle, you can compact the subgrade. You can stand atop the hand tamper and apply pressure as needed to keep it level. A firm subgrade will prevent cracks in the concrete. Once this is done, you can begin the concrete construction.
Depending on the dimensions of the driveway, you can decide to install an apron between two and four inches. This will increase the cost of the driveway by ten to thirty percent. You can also choose a unique shape for the driveway. Curved driveways require particular forms and will add curb appeal to the home. Curves also offer multiple entry points for your home.