Concrete Driveway in sections.
This was a challenge I could not pass up. The entire space I need to complete is a 24x14 feet driveway or 336 square feet. No cement truck was needed as I felt it defeated the purpose of a complete DIY project. There are too many videos out there that say DIY, but soon after, a cement truck pulls right up, which kills the fun.
With careful research and understanding of the basics, I was able to put a plan together and set everything into motion. This is my first time completing such a large task as I have done similar, but to a smaller scale.
The entire project will take 210 bags of 80 pound concrete, which is more than 16000 pounds. The concrete I had delivered from Home Depot, but not in its entirety as I had to go back and purchase more, making several trips.
The longest part of the project was the framing and setting everything up before I can start mixing. Thereafter, it was the curing process before I can lay another new slab adjacent to the previous one. I have taken careful steps to hydrate the concrete as it was curing. I was not going to take any short cuts with this project.
MAIN Tools I used:
Harbor freight 3.5 concrete mixer (used only once)
Concrete hand mixer (purchased on Amazon and used as my main mixer)
Steel and/or MAG float
Edger
15 gallon bucket
2x6 wood for the forms
Screws, power drill
Plate compactor
As you can see, I was unable to complete the last part of the driveway due the fall season and temperatures dipping down to the 30’s. I will complete the project next spring, 2024. For now, I am able to park my car, completely under the carport for the winter season.
I will give special thanks to my dad for teaching me concrete when I was much younger. Also additional thanks to the KZfaqrs:
1. GREGVANCOM (allowing me to use a portion of his video on my channel and the brilliant idea of keeping things simple)
2. REAL LIFE TESTED (who did an excellent job and a much LARGER scale than my project)
3. ZEPLEON (who demonstrated what not to do when pouring your slab)
4. CREATING CONCRETE (who had given me the knowledge and basics of pouring and curing your concrete slab).
Do not ask about DRY POUR. I firmly do not believe that is a proper way, especially when the money is coming out of my back pocket. If I am going to do the project, I might as well do it the RIGHT way and not have to return to it again to do it ALL OVER AGAIN! It may work with some applications, but I was not willing to test the theory with this project.
Any questions/ comments, please let me know. Otherwise, Thanks for watching and I will see you on the next one!
AJ DIY
FYI, I saved close to $3,000 dollars for this project. My three estimates, just for the concrete ALONE was $4,500 on average. With the excavating, forming, tamping, gravel, etc., the total average jumped to $5,500, at best. My total cost as a one person job cost me below $1850. All other tools, I had on hand from previous projects, which I'm not including in the price. I will be selling my harbor freight mixer and plate compacter at the end, which would save me more. Either way, I am in the positives.
#driveway
#concrete driveway