Concrete driveway - how involved?

rlee6 · Mar 31, 2005

I need a short driveway that connects my parcel to the state highway. State DOT recommends concrete.

I just submitted permit paper to state DOT and am looking for a concrete contractor to build it. But, thanks to the 3 hurricanes that hit central Florida, all are backlogged for a few months and don't even take new work.

Can someone kindly explain to me what's involved in concrete driveway? DOT will give me requirements when review is done like width, radius, etc. Is ths something that I can attempt to do myself? Do I have to dig the ditch before putting in the culvert or can I just place it in and pour concrete on top? One man's job? Thanks for your help.

EddieWalker · Mar 31, 2005

I've put in a few driveways, but my soil is red clay, which I doubt is anything similar to what you have.

Guessing your in sand, like most of Florida, then it should be a simple task of leveling it off, setting your forms, laying rebar and calling some freinds to help scree and finish.

The big concern with the culvert is getting compaction of the soil you desturb. If it's sand, you don't have to do anything. Sand will compact on it's own. It's why it's used so much.

Just remember, it's ALLOT harder then it looks getting it spread and finished off. On a warm day it can be impossible with an amature crew to get decent results.

keeney · Mar 31, 2005

If you don't care too much about the cosmetics, it can be a mostly do-it-yourself project.

Prepping the ground (grading, bringing in base material (rock or sand), setting the forms, and tying the steel are 3/4's of the work. All are things a guy can do by himself and take whatever amount of time necessary to get them right.

Screeding during the pour and finishing are what will require some amount of skill and a handful of people to get it done quickly enough to get a good result.

Any specialty tools can be rented. You will likely need a bull float. If you plan to cut the joints after the pour, you can rent a saw, otherwise you will also need a jointing tool. Forms can be 2x6's and wood stakes.

A broom finish is less demanding of finishing skill and helps hide other problems.

My suggestion would be to find at least one person who has some amount of experience to help supervise.

beenthere · Mar 31, 2005

Not a big problem. Find a handyman who knows concrete work and will guide you through it, and lend you a hand. Some tools for working concrete are needed, but nothing too special or expensive. (rental places have such tools).

You just don't want to get in the middle of having a pile of wet concrete, and not enough know-how to get it worked down, struck off, and floated (get the stones down, and the top layer sealed) before it cures and sets up.

What size area are you doing? I'd figure about 5" with either re-rod, reinforcing wire, and/or fiber in the concrete for strength.

To prepare; install the culvert, fill and pack with sand, make a form that will contain the edges of the pad and allow for 4-5" of concrete.

SnowRidge · Mar 31, 2005

After the driveway is poured, roll on this stuff, and you won't have to worry about the cure rate, nor the ritual of spraying the concrete with water to prevent it from curing too fast.

You should be able to find it at Lowes or Home Despot.

Charlie_in_TX · Mar 31, 2005

I did my own. It is about 180 ft long, 36 ft wide at the garage, 16 ft at the street, and 12 ft inbetween. I did it in 2 weekends, alows for a better finish.

Put down plastic. People will tell you the plastic is to stop water intrution, BS. It is to stop the ground from soking up your water.

Get 4 people. 2 will pull the concrete to were needed. The other 2 will start pulling conctrete then use a board to level, then finish. The first load of concrete will be broomed before the 3rd truck leaves. Go to your local day labor stop. The Mexicans will work their but off and have probable done it before.

Make the truck driver put the concrete as close to were you need it as possible. The drivers are payed by the hour and will help ya. They know their equipment better than you.

rlee6 · Mar 31, 2005

Thank you for the tips. I already feel ready to tackle the project myself with a few helpers. I have to wait for DOT review for details but as far as I know, 12' wide, 40' tapered (mitered? don't know the exact name but you know what I mean) culvert. Yes, it's sandy everywhere.