Concrete Driveway Construction – Thickness, Rebar & More
Getting a concrete driveway costs $1,800 to $6,000, but it is a worthy investment since it protects your landscaping and erosion and increases your house’s appeal. Traditional concrete driveways are very common because of their low material costs.
However, the modern era brought many options that give strength and beauty but with an added cost. Moreover, you don’t have to bother only about installing a concrete driveway but also about how to look after it, especially the bulk ice melt that is safe for your concrete.
Here are some vital things to consider while constructing and taking care of your concrete driveway.
Thickness
A concrete driveway could be a minimum of 4 inches thick; however, increasing the thickness by 1 inch with a 20% increase in cost will enhance its load-carrying capacity by 50%. In addition, consider thickening the driveway’s edges by 1 or 2 inches to provide additional structural support if you expect the traffic load.
Rebar
Steel rebar holds the concrete together and gives strength to the concrete driveway for heavy traffic. Wire mesh is used in 4-5 inch thick driveways, but for a dense construction over 5 inches, you need to use a half-inch steel rebar.
Quality of concrete mix
When choosing the quality of the concrete mix, you must keep in mind the traffic load and the freeze/thaw condition that can crack your concrete due to using chloride and salt in bulk.
Site Condition and Preparation
Site condition is also critical to consider while making a driveway budget. There can be many challenges with trees and rocks on the ground and uneven or slopped land that can cause the extra cost to build a perfect concrete driveway.
Labor
Similarly, the labor cost, which is already half of your budget, may increase further depending on the site condition and required efforts to make the land even and make a proper drainage provision.
Lumber
Lumber prices can differ from one region to another and from one season to the next. It is because lumbers are used to build the forms to shape your driveway.
Sealing and finish
Proper sealing and finish will protect your concrete from rough use and weather conditions, but it is an additional cost.
Bulk ice melt effect on concrete and rebar
The use of deicing salt in bulk produces chloride ions such as sodium chloride, magnesium chloride, and calcium chloride that can permeate concrete. When these ion mixes with oxygen and moisture, they cause the corrosion of unprotected steel rebar, and the rust formation on the embedded rebar creates pressure on the concrete, which results in cracks.
Safe Thaw: The best ice melt in bulk
Safe Thaw is a urea-modified natural ice melt solution prepared with a secret sauce that gives you higher performance with less quantity and keeps your machines, concrete, and belongings safe. Its inhibitors control the reformation of ice from brine and protect it from corrosion and cracks. In addition, Safe Thaw is an eco-friendly ice melt and 100% salt and chloride free.
100% salt & chloride-free, fast acting Ice Management Solution
Conclusion
Calcium chloride-based products are cheap and easy to apply in bulk; they may give you a more significant loss by harming your concrete driveways. At the same time, a urea-based ice melt like Safe Thaw is the perfect deicing solution without breaking your concrete and damaging your premises and metal.
Try Also Our Other Winter Safety Products:
Safe Paw
The Original and #1 Selling Pet and Child Safe Ice Melt for over 20 years. Guaranteed environmentally safe –It won’t harm animals or children, and it won’t damage your property. That’s Safe Paw. Safe Paw can change how winter affects our planet.
Walk On Ice
The handy disposable canister can be taken everywhere, with the same 100% naturally occurring minerals that provide instant traction on ice or snow. Use it on sidewalks, steps, or as an instant traction agent for your car.
