What Is The Right Thickness For A Concrete Driveway
Concrete is heavy and needs support to prevent it from cracking; the thickness of the concrete driveway and the steel rebar provides that support. That’s why the minimum thickness of a residential concrete driveway is 4 inches which can further increase as per need.
Moreover, only the right thickness is not enough for a good driveway. Still, you need to maintain it throughout the year. But, with the right products and a fruitful search for safe bulk ice melt near me, you can keep your concrete healthy for a long time.
Factors That Determine Concrete Thickness
Expected Vehicle Load
The expected usage primarily determines the concrete driveway thickness. Where residential driveways are between 4 to 6 inches thick, the commercial driveways have to be between 6 to 8 inches. Concrete highways are between 11 to 12 inches wide, which is the maximum.
Type Of Soil
Organic soil, peat, or topsoil is good for vegetation, but it can’t support concrete and has to be removed. Likewise, soil like silt or clay-based material can expand when wet and shrink as they dry and are unsuitable for concrete support.
Budget
The budget also depends on the dimensions of the driveway, preparation work, and concrete thickness first and then on other factors like the inclusion of rebar, the type of finish, texture, and color additives.
For example, most house concrete driveways are 4-inches thick; increasing the thickness by 1 inch may add 20% to the cost, but it improves the strength by 50%.
Driveway Edge Thickness
The edges should be thicker than the perimeter to provide additional strength to the concrete driveway. For example, suppose a concrete driveway is installed with a thickness of 4 -8 inches.
Is Magnesium Chloride Ice Melt Safe For Concrete?
Your search for ice melt may end up with cheaper options containing salt, which can damage your concrete driveway.
Salt and Chloride react with metal rebar; they cause corrosion to the metal as it gets through the concrete, pours with water molecules, and creates the presser by reforming the ice that cracks the concrete.
Safe Thaw: The Best Bulk Ice Melt Near Me
Safe Thaw is a 100% Salt and Chloride-Free, urea-based natural ice melt and traction agent that have the following qualities:
- Safe: Safe Thaw is safe to use around metals, machines, vehicles, and plants while causing no damage to concrete and the environment.
- Effective Ice Melt: Safe Thaw covers 100 Square feet per pound and melts ice in 10 minutes. Its ice melting crystals prevent water molecules from ice reformation and leach out a de-icing liquid to speed up the melting process, making it work below freezing temperature.
- Non-Corrosive & Long Shelf Life – Safe Thaw is non-corrosive and non-conductive. Concentrated formula assures long-term, maximum effectiveness.
100% salt & chloride-free, fast acting Ice Management Solution
Conclusion
Concrete thickness depends on the expected usage and the required strength. However, its longevity will depend on maintenance and the kind of ice melt you use. So before opting for toxic salt-based ice melt, research to find out if sodium chloride or magnesium chloride ice melt is safe for concrete. In addition, you will learn about the harmful effects of chlorides; hence opt for a green and safe ice melt.
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.
