How Driveway Contractors Will Install Your Concrete Driveway

Concrete driveways remain a staple in a number of Australian homes due to the stability and longevity that they provide. Nonetheless, this longevity does not mean that concrete is immune to damage. In fact, failure to address the damage is what will lead to the installation of a new driveway since the crumbling and cracks will mean it is no longer as stable as it used to be. You may think that the installation of the driveway can be done on your own, but the reality is that the process is more complicated than pouring some concrete and waiting for it to cure. Read on for a homeowners guide to how driveway contractors will install your concrete driveway.

Step 1: Grading and formwork installation 

For the concrete driveway to be at minimal risk of crumbling, it needs to stay free of water. While this is difficult since the driveway will be exposed to the elements, the driveway contractors will ensure that it is constructed in an inclined rather than in a flat profile that will allow puddles to form and seep into the concrete. Thus, the process of concrete driveway installation starts with the grading of the land to create a favourable slope. Once this is done, timber formwork is set up around the perimeter so that the poured concrete is retained in place.

Step 2: Aggregate compaction

As aforementioned, the installation of a concrete driveway is not about pouring concrete and leaving it to set. Instead, the driveway comes together in layers. The first layer is the soil that has been graded. The second layer is a base that comprises compacted aggregate. The aggregate functions to mitigate the results of the freeze and thaw cycle during the winter. This compaction is not done by hand but is instead done via a specialised machine. The third layer is poured concrete.

Step 3: Concrete pouring

After the aggregate base is in place, it needs to be wetted before the concrete is poured onto it. This is not a DIY job since it has to be handled by two people. One driveway contractor will pour the pre-mixed concrete while the second will use a tool to ensure that it is spread and compacted evenly. The pouring process also entails the placement of joint formers, which work to limit the formation of cracks once the concrete sets. After the concrete is all in place, the driveway contractors will use a bull float and then a wood float to smooth out the surface of the driveway before it cures.