Concrete driveways are very profitable for any person who wishes to improve the look of his house, and at the same time, make a pathway for vehicles. Made from a mixture of aggregates such as cement and other materials, concrete driveways are long-lasting and sturdy. However, installing the concrete driveways is not an easy task. Nor is it recommended to be done by one individual only. Given below are some things which must be kept in mind by the persons who are going to install concrete driveways made of concrete in front of their homes.
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| Installing Concrete Driveways |
5 Things You Must Know When Installing Concrete Driveways
#1. The weather outside: After one has planned the installation of the driveway, it is advisable that one decides the day to begin the work according to the weather. Installing concrete driveways is not possible in wet weather, nor can it be done in low temperatures, as the texture and consistency of the concrete would get affected. A warm, sunny day is what is required for the installation to be successful; A temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit is what is considered as the ideal temperature.
#2. The slope of the concrete driveway: Driveways are prepared to help in the mobility of the car from the house to the main road. However, if it rains after the construction is complete, then there are chances that there will be the accumulation of water on the driveway. This is not something any house owner would ever want to happen. So, one must keep in mind that, while building the driveway, they must make it slightly sloping. The slope must be tilted slightly towards the main road. This manner of construction helps the water on the driveway to move towards the outer part of the road, which in turn helps in proper drainage.
#3. It is not a “do it yourself (DIY)” project: Often house owners think that the concrete driveways can be easily installed by them, with no hassle at all. Many people feel that it is just about mixing the aggregates pouring it on the surface to be paved. However, any person who has tried doing so without prior experience has realised how tough it actually is. In the first place, the area to be paved must be free from any grass or other kinds of plant growth. Apart from these preliminary measures, it is also necessary that one uses an eight-inch base at least. There is also the requirement of making and keeping the base moist in order to ensure the evenness of the concrete layer later.
#4. Caring for the concrete driveway after its construction: The concrete driveway can be installed with expertise, but some care needs to be taken just after the concrete has been poured. One must cover the road with a plastic sheet immediately after the pouring of the concrete, and keep spraying it with water all over. This is done to prevent uneven drying up, or the unnecessary accumulation of stones inside the mixture. Covering the surface with a plastic sheet ensures that the moisture does not escape easily, and the continuous spraying of water makes sure that there is a constant creation of moisture.
#5. Making the concrete driveway more attractive: Concrete driveways can be made more attractive by adding paint to them, or even by using attractive stones or pebbles. But it has to be kept in mind that the decorative items must be added to the mixture before it is poured onto the ground. They also need to be taken care of accordingly.
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