How to build a concrete Driveway

Driveways are essential, and sometimes you want to do something for yourself. So here are some easy steps on how to build your perfect concrete driveway.

Permit

The first most logical thing you would want to do is get a permit if you do need one. You don’t want to get into any legal trouble.

Your strong base

You want to set down your strong base, and for that, you will need 4-6′ of gravel. If you are building it in an area with a bad drainage system or a place where it is cold, this is extremely vital. You would want to place asphalt-impregnates isolations joint strips on all four sides.

 Pouring your cement in

You would need to dampen your gravel before anything else is done. So thoroughly dampen your driveway, and start from one corner and move the cement everywhere gradually.

Here’s when someone helping you is vital, otherwise you will have your work cut out for you. Pour the concrete it and flatten it and compact it with a square shovel. Make sure you don’t overwork the concrete and don’t spread it way too far all at once.

What could be done is, you could mentally divide your driveway into squares and gradually fill up each square. You could also use dividers to help you out.

Striking the concrete

Move a strike-off a straight wood across to level the concrete. Follow the same method by doing sections instead of doing all at once. Get help if need, the more, the merrier, the faster you will be done.

Smooth your concrete

 Use a darby or bull float to smooth down where it is strikingly uneven. You will be able to notice where the concrete is shallow and where the concrete is high. Even these parts out. Remember to keep the tool flat and not apply too much pressure on the tool.

Jointing concrete

In order to prevent the concrete from cracking you need to set the joints with a 1inch deep jointer

Floating your concrete

 Here you will use ready-mix cement. Do this after the water sheen is no longer there on the concrete but before there is an extremely and visible stiffness in the surface. Float using a wood float or a magnesium float. Using a magnesium float will give you a smoother surface.

Drying

You shouldn’t let the surface dry too soon because doing so will weaken it. Cure the concrete by keeping it damp. Place any material on top and wet it, until curing is finished.