I am thinking about hiring a concrete company to redo out driveway and
other concrete work. What I really want is that the driveway should
stay level and crack-free for years, as cracks seriously nterfere
with my material handling. How would I ensure that? Is that a matter
of putting more gravel, more concrete, different concrete, or what?

thanks

Ignoramus21090 wrote:
I am thinking about hiring a concrete company to redo out driveway and
other concrete work. What I really want is that the driveway should
stay level and crack-free for years, as cracks seriously nterfere
with my material handling. How would I ensure that? Is that a matter
of putting more gravel, more concrete, different concrete, or what?

thanks

A RELLY GOOD base with proper drainage, then thick concrete with mesh
and rebar tying the sections together.adding fibre to the concrete and
a high strength mix helps too. how heavy loads on this driveway?

you can build iut to airport runway specs if you dont mind spending a
gazillion bucks.

poor drainage is a major trouble, and realize concrete doersnt last
forever.....

wrote:
Ignoramus21090 wrote:
I am thinking about hiring a concrete company to redo out driveway and
other concrete work. What I really want is that the driveway should
stay level and crack-free for years, as cracks seriously nterfere
with my material handling. How would I ensure that? Is that a matter
of putting more gravel, more concrete, different concrete, or what?

thanks

A RELLY GOOD base with proper drainage, then thick concrete with mesh
and rebar tying the sections together.adding fibre to the concrete and
a high strength mix helps too. how heavy loads on this driveway?

you can build iut to airport runway specs if you dont mind spending a
gazillion bucks.

poor drainage is a major trouble, and realize concrete doersnt last
forever.....

wrote in message
A RELLY GOOD base with proper drainage, then thick concrete with mesh
and rebar tying the sections together.adding fibre to the concrete and
a high strength mix helps too. how heavy loads on this driveway?


poor drainage is a major trouble, and realize concrete doersnt last
forever.....


But properly done, concrete can last over 100 years. Preparation and a good
base are very important. Take a look at what id done when building roads.

On 7 Jan 2007 11:01:53 -0800, wrote:

Ignoramus21090 wrote:
I am thinking about hiring a concrete company to redo out driveway and
other concrete work. What I really want is that the driveway should
stay level and crack-free for years, as cracks seriously nterfere
with my material handling. How would I ensure that? Is that a matter
of putting more gravel, more concrete, different concrete, or what?

thanks

A RELLY GOOD base with proper drainage, then thick concrete with mesh
and rebar tying the sections together.adding fibre to the concrete and
a high strength mix helps too. how heavy loads on this driveway?

Not very heavy, up to 1,000 lbs with cart. The problem is that cracks
make moving said cart painful.

thank you.

i

Rebar, lots and lots of rebar. And concrete 6" thick. Did i mention rebar?

--
Steve Barker

"Ignoramus21090" wrote in message
...
I am thinking about hiring a concrete company to redo out driveway and
other concrete work. What I really want is that the driveway should
stay level and crack-free for years, as cracks seriously nterfere
with my material handling. How would I ensure that? Is that a matter
of putting more gravel, more concrete, different concrete, or what?

thanks

Ignoramus21090 wrote:
I am thinking about hiring a concrete company to redo out driveway and
other concrete work. What I really want is that the driveway should
stay level and crack-free for years, as cracks seriously nterfere
with my material handling. How would I ensure that? Is that a matter
of putting more gravel, more concrete, different concrete, or what?

thanks

Another Idea to make sure it doesn't crack is to make sure that u try
and keep it as cool as possible while it is curing,spraying water on it
at different times,but be sure not to mess up the finish,and u could
use expansion joints,good concrete co. should already know this.
Hope this helps

Ignoramus21090 wrote:
I am thinking about hiring a concrete company to redo out driveway and
other concrete work. What I really want is that the driveway should
stay level and crack-free for years, as cracks seriously nterfere
with my material handling. How would I ensure that? Is that a matter
of putting more gravel, more concrete, different concrete, or what?

thanks

check out these threads about driveway thickness, prep & design

http://groups.google.com/group/alt.b...9923432e?hl=en

http://groups.google.com/group/alt.b...eeb270cac427b5

cheers
Bob

short answer: good base, 6" thickness & crack control joints every 150
sq ft

prep is more important than mix but a low water ratio & a decent amount
of cement in the mix help (3000 psi min)

I like rebar or mesh but lots of people (more expert than me) don't.
think it's necessary

"Ignoramus21090" wrote in message
...
I am thinking about hiring a concrete company to redo out driveway and
other concrete work. What I really want is that the driveway should
stay level and crack-free for years, as cracks seriously nterfere
with my material handling. How would I ensure that? Is that a matter
of putting more gravel, more concrete, different concrete, or what?

It is going to crack, eventually. Expansion joints and scoring are
recommended in addition to a good base, adequate thickness, reinforcement,
proper curing and so on.

Delay putting it in as long as possible so the soil is compact as possible.
Most houses in my neighborhood were built in 6 months but mine, built by the
same builder took almost 3 times as long and the driveway wasn't put in
until completion. My driveway went 7 years without a crack. Others were
cracked in a year or so. Same soil, same concrete supplier, same builder,
same contractor laying concrete.





"Ignoramus21090" wrote in message
...
I am thinking about hiring a concrete company to redo out driveway and
other concrete work. What I really want is that the driveway should
stay level and crack-free for years, as cracks seriously nterfere
with my material handling. How would I ensure that? Is that a matter
of putting more gravel, more concrete, different concrete, or what?

thanks

Ignoramus21090 wrote:
I am thinking about hiring a concrete company to redo out driveway and
other concrete work. What I really want is that the driveway should
stay level and crack-free for years, as cracks seriously nterfere
with my material handling. How would I ensure that? Is that a matter
of putting more gravel, more concrete, different concrete, or what?

thanks

First a very good foundation. What this means depends on where you are
the the local soil conditions, but don't skimp.

Next make it thick enough. When in doubt go thicker.

Add rebar -wire. Very important

Use a strong mix. Not all concrete is created equal. You can order
different qualities.

Have someone who really knows what they are doing put it in. Over
working or under working it when it is put in will result in poor surface
strength and you will get scaling in a year or two.

In short, there is not one factor, it is all well known and it all adds
up to a quality job. Cost more now less in the long run.


--
Joseph Meehan

Dia 's Muire duit