When installing a driveway in Boulder and Jefferson County, it is important to do each step correctly so that your newly installed driveway lasts for years to come. Do not rush the process as this can result in a driveway that crumbles under the pressure. There are some steps you want to follow and if you are unfamiliar with the process, it never hurts to get help or at least an opinion from a professional.
Preparing the Subgrade
You have to make sure that there is a solid subgrade in Boulder County in which to build the driveway on. Make sure the soil is even and that any soft spots are completely reinforced. If you find soft spots, you can use a material like gravel to reinforce it. It is a good idea to place crushed rock on the subgrade at a depth of two to eight inches. The overall expansiveness of the soil will ultimately determine the depth of the subgrade.
After you get your subgrade in place, you will work on getting the concrete poured after a few finishing touches to the driveway structure. However, before you do this, dampen the subgrade. This is important because it will help to prevent the concrete from drying prematurely so that you have adequate time to work with it.
Place the Joints Correctly
Control joints, when placed properly, can help to prevent the concrete from cracking randomly. When you pour a driveway at an average thickness of four inches, you want the joints spaced about 10 feet. You want to also place isolation joints properly. These will go wherever your new driveway meets other existing Boulder County pavements.
Reinforce the Driveway
Reinforcing a driveway is usually done with steel. This is critical if your driveway is one that is going to see a lot of regular traffic. Many will use steel rebar, but a quality wire mesh can also get the job done. 12 inches of spacing utilizing a grid pattern should be done if you are using rebar. This will help to prevent cracks from turning into gaping holes should they occur.
Pouring Your Concrete
The average is four to five inches when it comes to the depth of your Boulder County concrete. At this depth, a driveway is able to handle normal usage, wear and tear. If your driveway is going to be used for especially heavy loads, you might consider a depth of up to eight inches. It is a good idea to talk to a professional who knows driveway installation. Let them know about the general usage of your driveway and they will tell you what depth will work the best.
You want to prevent water from accumulating, so you need good drainage. You can slightly slope the driveway inward and place a drain. This will help to prevent puddling so that water is not able to stand on your concrete and affect its structural integrity.
Finishing Your Driveway
You want to make sure that you finish properly to ensure that your driveway is structurally adequate and looking good. To finish, the following are common:
· Level the concrete well so that everything is even
· Use a bullfloat to properly float the concrete before bleedwater is able to collect
· Improve traction using a simple broom finish
Now you know the basics about creating a driveway in Boulder and Jefferson County. Keep in mind that if you use a material other than concrete that the steps might differ slightly. For example, if you instead use pavers, you would have to likely put down a thin sheet of concrete, then the pavers and then properly seal them into place.