I have an old ribbon driveway (2 strips of concrete with grass between). I want a solid driveway and not just a fill-in strip. I'd also like to do most of the work myself, and just have the concrete delivered. My main question is can the concrete be poured over the existing ribbons or will they have to be dug up? And can you recommend any websites with detailed info on this kind of project? The only ones I've found so far assume I already know all about it. Thanks.
2007-06-25 17:59:38 · 8 answers · asked by Alice K 7 in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
I don't know but would be glad to discuss it over a
couple of burritos.
Only thing I know is they have to ripp out the old
driveway to put the new one in, the way concrete works
any kind of patch work looks bad in time, i has to be
one piece. how about paving with bricks its much
nicer and looks better.
2007-06-26 19:14:02 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
WOW I can't believe you would want to take on that job.
But if you do, personally you probably should remove your existing concrete you have there now.
There will be a good base there from the old concrete being there. Now you will want to take the middle dirt or grass out and I probably would get some 57 stone and grade the area where you are planing on pouring and rent a tamper to make sure that center part is compressed into a good base and level it out again with the 57's. I would use a screen type re bar for the drive. Regular re bar is used more for footers and walls. The thickness is going to depend on what your community want. I wouldn't go any less than 5 or 6 inches. Thicker the better for drives.
But I am being very honest with you, this is not a cake walk. There are many tools that you will need and some real back breaking work.
I did this for years and hated it. we had front end loaders and tampers and althat too and it still was a tough job. I guess you can say it;s for the younger bunch with good backs because my back is aready gone.
Good Luck
2007-06-26 01:51:17 · answer #2 · answered by Ray Y 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
not advisable to pour over old concrete, it can cause the new concrete to crack in places you don't want it to.
dig out the center strip to the depth of the concrete ribbons then take out the concrete ribbons. form the outside edges with 2x4.to figure how much concrete you need, for a 4" pour use the formula length x width divided by 81= cubic yds. (i.e. 12'w x 24' L divided by 81 = 2..25 yds. concrete is usually sold in 1/2 yd increments. if your driveway is going to be 6" deep the formula is w x l divided by 54. be sure to palce a strip of expansion felt where the new concrete will butt up to the old concrete. unless you use a "pump" mix (made with pea gravel 5 1/2 sack mix) you'll need a concrete tamp to bury the rock. you'll need a bull float, wood hand float and finishing trowels, and a soft broom for the non-slip finish. you'll need a deep jointer to put in the joints at no more than 10 feet apart horizontally. or a good finisher would charge you about $175 for the pour once the project is ready to pour then you wont have to go thru the expense of buying tools, they can be quite expensive. rebar isn't necessary you can use what is called a 6x6x10x10 wire mesh which is much better in holding driveways together
good luck on your project.
2007-06-26 01:35:45 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Find someone who is familiar with concrete work to assisst you. Because of the questions you are asking you may pour the new concrete and if you're not properly prepared have the concrete set up before you can properly finish it. Concrete will not wait, when it sets you either finish it at the proper time or you have a permanently unfinished driveway.
If you want a professional looking job you must remove the old ribbons.
2007-06-26 01:45:58 · answer #4 · answered by stedyedy 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes you can over pour the existing. Keep in mind that you will affect the natural drainage.
First remove the grass, than fill and compact the soil to level with the ribbons.
Since you are placing the new driveway over dissimilar surfaces, it will not dry proportionately, increasing the chances of cracking.
2007-06-26 01:28:23 · answer #5 · answered by Snoonyb 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes you should remove the old concrete. you need a nice graded surface and also it will make room for re-bar.
2007-06-26 01:24:05 · answer #6 · answered by colonelsanders 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i hope you have a lot of italian friends..because that is a Huge job .... breaking all the cement... getting rid of it... level the ground, a whole lot of digging....3 inch crushed concrete base...compact it.... put in the side forms........... and finishing the cement takes some skill....gooooooood luck
2007-06-26 03:48:08 · answer #7 · answered by c 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
dont know
2007-06-26 06:06:14 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋