Driveways.................?

[Rubberdown!]

Plan is to put a driveway in where the is sod now....
Do it now, or in the spring?
Aggregate, stamped, or blocks?
best way to prepare the base?
how much packed gravel underneath and what size?
anything is appreciated......
What to watch for?

 

[squarehead55]

Just one thing to remember with concrete this time of year, Always and I mean Always put the flat side up!!!!!

 

[powdersledder]

Depends in how much fill you need, if you need a lot then lay some pit run first. Otherwise just lay some class 5 this fall and let it heave and settle till next summer, then add a leveling course of 5 and either leave it or tamp it down to brick, tar or cement it.

 

[Burndown1]

Yea I agree.

 

[Rubberdown!]

Have to do it ALL either now or in the spring as my Neighbours would get pi$$y.....

 

[truthrider]

Like powdersledder said, if you have some thicker areas of fill, you want that to settle and firm up before you finish it or it will crack up faster. Tell your neighbors that it is a "Green" driveway, helps stop global warming till you finish it next summer.

 

[powdersledder]

Once you get the first course down tell them it is done, if they whine tell them they can pay to finish it.

I hope you dont live in one of those weird 'sign this agreement if you want to live in this neighborhood' areas?

 

[Rubberdown!]

Nope actually live in a nice neighbourhood, but one neighbour is very snoopy and needs to know stuff and for me I would want it all done now ASAP!

Picture is on area,,,all sod being ripped out and driveway where lines are....and then SYNLAWN and more shrubbery!

 

[powdersledder]

Being in a development that area should already be pretty firmed up, but I would still wait a winter and spring for it to settle. I have a few cousins that live in developments around the minneapolis, those places are put up so fast that almost all the doors on their houses are slanted and the driveways are all cracked.

 

[Rubberdown!]

yes, sod has been down for 6 years, but I will still pack the crap outta the ground as I know how thing heave!

 

[dmkhnr]

6 years of sod, the ground isn't going to settle anymore.
Pull the sod up, trench down 4-5" then bring in your sub-grade (type 2 base, sand, or DG). Whack it and then a final level (I use DG for a final level, and then wet it several times during the day, it will set up rock hard). Set up your forms and pour it.
If it's getting cold at night you'll need blankets.

Depending on what type of dirt you have below your sod, and topsoil, will determine how thick of a base you need.

For flatwork, pour a 6 sack with fiber. If you want some color buy the die ahead of time and mix it in the truck.

What are you going to drive on it?? Do you need 4" or 6" slab?

 

[Rubberdown!]

Just cars and trucks (1/2 ton max).....maybe 2 at a time parked on it though....

 

[Good to Go]

6 years of sod, the ground isn't going to settle anymore.
Pull the sod up, trench down 4-5" then bring in your sub-grade (type 2 base, sand, or DG). Whack it and then a final level (I use DG for a final level, and then wet it several times during the day, it will set up rock hard). Set up your forms and pour it.
If it's getting cold at night you'll need blankets.

Depending on what type of dirt you have below your sod, and topsoil, will determine how thick of a base you need.

For flatwork, pour a 6 sack with fiber. If you want some color buy the die ahead of time and mix it in the truck.

What are you going to drive on it?? Do you need 4" or 6" slab?

Uh-huh.

Except for the color thing. Batch plant liquid systems are the only way to go. Depends what's available. But your picture screams "plain concrete". No color, no black. It'll white out and match eventually.

Anything over 5.5sk; fiber is in ALL our slabs. Usually stealth (or equivalent). Rods easier.

Just cars and trucks (1/2 ton max).....maybe 2 at a time parked on it though....

4"

Just a guess of course...

 

[sled-fiend]

I agree, broom finish concrete would suit what you existing best! A minimum of 4-6" 3/4" crushed rock road-base tamped and compressed, re-bar with proper expansion joints through out. Never hurts to add fiber-mesh to the mix. I would avoid interlocking brick (too much maintenance). If you did want a pattern stamp concrete is definitely the way to go! I've got a few senior concrete finishers that work for me, if you have any questions on specifics pm me.

 

[Rubberdown!]

I am leaning towards stamped and stained to match the house, with some decorative edging, more of a "landscaping" project to reduce the amount of lawn maintenance, than a 'more driveway' project,.....Of course the shovelling part will BLOW, do to the fact that it is already a corner lot........Bring out the John Deere blower......