Concrete Driveway Contractors, Lee's Summit, MO

 HOW TO POUR A CONCRETE DRIVEWAY

When it comes to paving, a material with a 2,000-year history simply cannot be beaten. The Romans invented concrete, which is now one of the most durable paving materials on the market. It is more resistant to heat and traffic than asphalt and can even be used in permeable paving situations. We'll look at how to install a concrete driveway for your home or business in this post.

Concrete Driveway Installation Procedures
1. Make a plan
This includes laying out any structures and vegetation you intend to keep, such as trees and bushes. For a single lane, a minimum of 8′ is required, but 10-12′ is preferable.

2. Determine how well the soil will withstand the elements.
Check with your local county extension service, which is usually provided by your state's land-grant university. You should look over your land's soil survey, which will provide you with information about the soil's suitability for your purposes.

3. Identify any underground utilities.
Will any of them require relocation or installation before the concrete is poured? It's always better and less expensive to handle this now rather than later.

4. Create a cost estimate
This includes the cost of the drainage base material, the concrete, forms, reinforcement supplies, labor, and tools, whether it's a few boxes of pizza for some local teens or money for a professional crew.

5. Determine what codes and permits are required for your driveway.
You don't want to have to rip out your new driveway because you skipped this step or did not obtain the required permits.

6. Use stakes and string to mark out your driveway.
This allows you to plan where you need to remove material and gives you a visual of how much space it will take up.

7. Clear the driveway of sod, vegetation, and topsoil.
You can probably save money if you have a short drive and can do it by hand or with a small excavator, but professional equipment will get the work done faster and with fewer headaches.

8. Place your base on top and compact it.
To press your base into the ground and settle it, you can rent a plate compactor or use a hand tamp.

9. Set up your forms and rebar.
Forms are as easy as a few pieces of 3/4′′ plywood and heavy wooden stakes, and rebar will reinforce and prevent cracking in your concrete. Tools for cutting and bending rebar may be required to make it fit your driveway properly, and tools that make tying go faster will help move the project along.

10. Plan and carry out your pour
Begin in the most difficult-to-reach areas so that you don't have to return to them once the rest of the concrete is in place.

11. Finish the surface
Brooming is a widely used treatment because it leaves the surface with a good combination of smoothness and traction. Remember to cut expansion joints every 8 feet and to mist it if the weather is particularly hot and dry to slow the cure time.

12. Remove the forms.
In temperatures ranging from 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, forms can be removed after 48 hours, leaving just enough malleability to deal with problem areas.


TIPS
• Temperatures: do not pour concrete during the hottest part of the day or when it is too cold. Curing temperatures should be around 20 degrees Celsius. Concrete driveways should not be installed in temperatures below 5 degrees Celsius because this can cause curing and setting issues.

• Time: Concrete will be hard in 24 – 48 hours, but the curing process is slow, and the concrete will not be fully cured until about a month after installation. After a week, the concrete will be approximately 70% strong, and you will be able to park your car on it. If you own a large vehicle, you should not park it on your new driveway for the first month.

Typically, driveway pouring is left to the professionals, but that doesn't mean you can't look at smaller areas yourself.


When you add a concrete driveway installation to your home or business, you add value in the form of higher property values and a lower-maintenance drive. Concrete driveways are a great addition to any home because of their clean, appealing appearance and long-lasting durability. If you're going to pour your own concrete driveway, however, you must follow all of the instructions to the letter to ensure the best possible results.


PROFESSIONAL CONCRETE CONTRACTORS in Lee’s Summit, MO
Lee's Summit Concrete and Paving is a Lee's Summit Concrete Driveway Contractor dedicated to custom concrete design. Whatever your vision is, they can show you the details, numbers, and steps needed to make it a reality. Lee's Summit Concrete and Paving prioritize concrete craftsmanship, and they believe that each customer and each project is critical to their success; pride in the process is just as important to them as the finished product.

Lee's Summit Concrete and Paving provide a wide range of concrete solutions by utilizing the best materials and providing excellent customer service. You can count on us to work with you on whatever project you have in mind.

Contact Lee's Summit Concrete and Paving today if you're ready for a new concrete driveway or another concrete upgrade!