It
is hot and heavy work, but placing a new concrete driveway is within
a do-it-yourselfer's skills. The trick is complete organization
at the outset so the project will go smoothly without any major
hitches. This 3-part article presents such a plan: from the first
sketch to the last swipe of a finishing broom. First,
because of extra weight requirements, driveway construction is often
well-regulated by local building codes. Make sure you understand
all code restrictions before you start construction. You also must
have the proper building permits. For example, most municipalities
have strict rules governing the steepness, thickness and width of
a driveway-as well as the means by which it joins the curbing.
The
first step, therefore, is to find out any code restrictions and
then sketch out your driveway plan. Submit this plan to the building
permit officials when you go to get the building permit for the
project.
DESIGN
CONSIDERATIONS:
Most single driveways today are formed with a single slab instead
of double-slab ramp drives that has paving only where the car wheels
go and grass between. A single slab provides a wider usable surface
to serve the wheel base dimensions of more car models. The trend
of the times has reinforced the single slab, perhaps partly because
a single slab requires less edge forming. Two-car driveways must
be a full-slab design.
The
Garage and Street-
The edge of the driveway should fall about 1 inch below the garage
floor to prevent water from running into the garage.
The
driveway should slope downward from the garage to the street. If
the garage sits downhill from the street, install a drain where
the driveway meets the garage. Where the driveway meets the street,
raise the edge of the driveway just a tad above the road to prevent
water and debris from flowing from the street into the driveway.
Driveway
Size-
In most cases, the driveway is cast so it is 2 inches above ground
level.
Slabs
for passenger cars are 4 or 5 inches thick. However, a slab that
will have truck traffic should be 5 or 6 inches thick. Some contractors
make the area near the street 8 inches thick to accommodate the
extra weight of trucks that might pull partly up onto the driveway
for delivery or collection.
A slab
for a single-car garage should be between 8 and 10 feet wide. A
slab for a double-car garage should be between 15 and 20 feet wide.
Widths up to 22 feet are common, and you ought to consider this
dimension.
Rufus
Thank you,
Sam
How thick should it be,and are there any special precautions.
i see that you have the size for a double car garage driveway i was wondering if you could give the minium size for a circular driveway or a circle. Thank you for your time.
Peta