Quality driveway construction is important because the absence of durability brings problematic potholes and cracks in the pavement. Building a driveway comes with a list of requirements and regulations, despite the simplicity of this type of construction.
There may be many unexpected landscaping obstacles that can prevent the proper installation of a solid driveway foundation, especially in Pembroke Pines and South Florida. Following these step-by-step guidelines on building a driveway can help you understand how to create a driveway successfully.
When you need help constructing a driveway, a professional residential construction team can guide you on how to get the job done correctly. Work with ADMER Construction Group today.
How to Build A Driveway
When you get started on driveway construction, you have to be aware of the landscape and other details that could cause the driveway to cave in. Being aware of the steps required can help prevent future problems with the driveway’s integrity.
Tools Required
You may see a construction team use a mini excavator, a vibratory plate compactor, a concrete pouring machine, a trailer, and a concrete curbing machine. These are all expensive tools that the construction company supplies.
Underground Utilities
No matter your location, you cannot build any structure over a utility of any kind. Before getting started, you need to check and make sure that no underground utility lines are being disturbed in any way. This is because a construction company will require you to excavate the area. Only the utility lines closer to the soil surface matter because those deep beneath the ground generally won’t interfere with your project.
Survey Land
You have to make sure you are aware of where your land boundaries are. If you accidentally build pavement on an area you don’t own, you will be forced to remove the hard work you’ve done.
A great way to make sure you are the owner of the areas you plan to construct pavement on is to look at the blueprints and then physically mark those locations using spray paint. You can use this strategy to mark underground utility cables as well. You can use stakes to mark the boundaries of your property. An organized construction company will use strings to connect the stakes that mark the construction project.
Level Out and Excavate Topsoil
Shovels and excavator machines can remove the topsoil needed to level out your project. Depending on the area, only a certain amount will be removed from the ground in order to level it out.
Residential projects typically won’t require heavy-duty tools. However, for a commercial area, you may need a track-mounted excavator. The land space could be leveled out simply by excavating just enough topsoil to keep the ground even.
Lay Wooden Forms Down
You may see a construction company place stiff form blocks down to create areas where the concrete can’t spill out. These are typically made of wood and placed together securely. They are all straightened out evenly so that the foundation is very solid.
Add Sand Base and Gravel
A lot of sand will be poured into the prepared space to create the base. Usually, the sand base is 4 to 10 inches deep. The construction team will know how much sand is needed based upon the type of soil the pavement will be on.
A thin layer of gravel is placed on top that often gets mixed with soil to keep it compact. A small plate compactor will be applied across the compact gravel to make sure it is flattened and evened out. The team may add water and dampen it to smoothen it out more before flattening it out again.
Add Reinforcement
To make the foundation secure, a reinforcing mesh may be added in a grid-like pattern. This is spread across the surface so that the entire base foundation is held together as securely as possible. This can also help prevent the pavement from caving in under the heavyweight of cars or other vehicles. This could strengthen your driveway and reinforce its foundation.
Pour Concrete
Pouring concrete may be the most difficult aspect of the job and could require the most equipment. This is because a high-quality driveway will use a hot-method approach for applying concrete, which requires more expensive equipment.
The construction team will heat up the concrete and use a tractor or wheelbarrow for the pouring of the concrete. Hot concrete is more durable as it bonds better, similar to pouring melted wax to form a shape.
Level Concrete
With a leveler and other tools, the concrete is then smoothened out. Much of the extra concrete is shaved off and disposed of. Once the concrete is properly leveled, the construction team will use a groover to create straight grooves across the driveway pavement. This is done to help prevent cracks.
The grooves allow the concrete room to bend just slightly enough to support the heavyweight of vehicles. Some concrete surfaces may be finished with a scratchwork tool to make them non-slip and give them additional traction. Different tools can be used, such as a broom or others, to give it an effect. That way, you don’t slip and fall during rainy or snowy conditions.
Let Dry
The concrete should sit for several days before being used. It can take some time to cure and must be watered with a sealant throughout the day. This helps the concrete harden and also allows it to become stronger over time. The sealant prevents the cement from breaking down quickly. Without curing, this can cause the surface of the cement to become brittle and crack more easily. Concrete requires one to four weeks to completely cure.
Find Out How to Get Started
When you’re ready to get your driveway started, you can inquire with a dedicated construction team. Call ADMER Construction Group today.