Concrete driveways can also be referred to as cement driveways. As a part of concreting services, concrete driveways are highly recommended as they offer decorative and unique layout. For a quality finish, durability and uniqueness of the driveways you should involve a qualified contractor and use the best materials in the market. There are some requirements which should be followed by the concreting service team in Auckland when constructing driveways. These requirements include;
- Adequate subgrade preparation
- Proper concrete mix
- Proper placement of reinforcement
- Concrete placement
- The quality finish of the driveway
- Joints to be placed properly
- Drainage system to be placed
- Proper curing
Here are some of the requirements are interpreted briefly;
1. Adequate Subgrade Preparation in the Construction of Concrete Driveways by Concrete Services
This kind of preparation helps in the uniformity of soil components and compaction which gives great and strong support of weight on the driveway. When the subgrade is prepared properly then the driveways will achieve an even slab thickness and prevent cracks.
In case of soft spot areas, you can replace the area with gravel. Auckland Concreting services use vibratory compactors to achieve strength and get rid of the softness.
2. Proper Concrete Mix for the Construction of Driveways in Concreting Services
The construction of driveways requires a ready-mix concrete for uniformity and also to avoid random cracking. A few requirements should be followed in the proper selection of concrete mix. Below is a list of some of the requirements;
- Slump value of more than 5 inches is not recommended.
- Use coarse aggregates in concrete driveways construction.
3. Proper Placement and Reinforcement of Driveways in Concrete Services
Plain concrete can be used to make light-duty driveways. The driveway structure capacity can be easily enhanced by introducing reinforced concrete. Remember reinforcement will never stop the cracks but the rebars used will hold the cracks in position and prevent propagation. In driveways, the reinforcement can be done either in grids or a wire mesh. The driveway can be further reinforced at the centre by using blocks under the rebars for maximum support. Technology advancement in concreting services has introduced the use of synthetic fibre for reinforcement. This is because they help prevent shrinkage cracks and are used as secondary reinforcement together with steel.
4. Concrete Placement for Driveways in Concreting Services
Concrete placement for driveways is highly influenced by the thickness of the concrete implemented. The minimum measurement required for a concrete driveway is 4 inches. An additional 1-inch increase will affect the structural capacity by 50%. Remember it’s the edges of the driveway that will hold more load and it’s advisable to increase their thickness by 1 to 2 inches.
5. Quality Finish for the Driveway in Concreting Services
The quality finish of the concrete driveway should be handled with the best care possible. To achieve this the following should be followed;
- Strike excess concrete. This can be done by the use of a screed to give a uniform surface.
- Float the concrete by use of wood to avoid the accumulation of bleeding water.
- Have a broom finish and also remember steel trowel is not recommended.
- Seal the concrete surface at the premature stage to prevent evaporation of bleeding water.
Conclusion
Always avoid joint patterns and provide isolated joints in driveways. Proper drainage for driveways is a thing to consider in concreting services, this will help prevent standing water. Lastly, the curing process is very important for the driveways, this can be done for seven days by sprinkling water and covering with wet blankets or plastic sheets.