Pouring? my driveway

[GreenLantern]

I don't live in Calgary so I am not looking for specific company recommendations, but I just wanted to ask others how their experiences have gone when getting their driveway paved.

What kind of questions should I ask of the company before hand? What do you wish you did differently?

[Fuzz]

I'll be doing mine in the next few years. One thing I read was to make sure it isn't a "recycled" driveway, as apparently they don't last very long.

[Engine09]

My driveway needs major soon next summer. I was thinking of renting a jackhammer and hauling away all the debris myself, but....

Is it worthwhile to get it resurfaced? Is that basically skimcoating a new layer?

[Northendzone]

So I have never done this, but something's I might want to know are:

. How much of the lawn are they going to have to cat away to be able, to work
. How clean is the job site when they are done
. How long until you can safely drive on it
. Can you carve your initials in it

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

. Can you carve your initials in it

Bart arrives at the cement and kneels before it.

Bart: This is for the ages.
[flash to futuristic city with people crowded around]
[the word "Bart" is etched in the concrete]
Woman: Like Stonehenge, this site will forever be a mystery. Who was
Bart? And how did he manage to write his name in solid
cement?
Man 1: He must have been much smarter than his sister Lisa -- about
whom we know nothing.
Man 2: Say, let's bring him back to life by using technology!
[shoots a ray; Bart materializes]
Bart: Ay, Caramba!
[everyone applauds]
[Bart pulls out a yoyo and starts using it]
Everyone: Ooh! Aah.
Man 1: What's normal to him amazes us.
Man 2: He will be our new god.
Everyone: Yay!

[CaptainCrunch]

I worked for a paving company a lot of years back. Like a lot of years back.

And we did a lot of paving of drivewalks.

I think you always want to see if they'll provide you with local references in terms of sidewalks they've done, and then see if you can go and take a look.

I mean there are so many things that happen. using barriers or how what they use to stop the growth of grass underneath (what kind of herbicide that they use.

What grade would they use of ashphalt and what the benefits are to them.

Site cleanup is huge. liability for damage to you or your neighbors property (Because it happens . . . a lot)

[MoneyGuy]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

So I have never done this, but something's I might want to know are:

. How much of the lawn are they going to have to cat away to be able, to work
. How clean is the job site when they are done
. How long until you can safely drive on it
. Can you carve your initials in it

I did this work eons ago, so...

1. It depends on the site and how much ground underneath must be removed, also if it needs to be widened. They'll have to visit the site. They'll have to install three or four inches of gravel fill. It's possible that no turf has to be removed but no one knows until they see the site.
2. The job site should be as clean as they found it.
3. Give it at least six or seven days, but longer is better. Concrete completely cures in 28 days but is walkable in a couple.
4. Yes, it's all yours. Put you arse print in it if you want.

[GreenLantern]

Yea I'm trying to get out ahead on this before my neighbour starts his front yard, right now they could just roll right up and have a lot of access, but if he puts down some sod then things have to be a bit more delicate. As of right now I have nothing in my front yard except a few inches of crushed gravel we put down last year to make it through the first summer/winter. I do want the path to go all the way along the side of my house though for my tenant, this will add some work and make things a bit trickier.

[Fuzz]

Oh, are you talking about asphalt or concrete?

[GreenLantern]

Concrete, I want the driveway to be concrete.

[I-Hate-Hulse]

Side note: In Ontario, everyone has asphalt driveways. Anyone know why we use concrete? Something to do with freeze / thaw?

[Fuzz]

Concrete is more expensive, but lasts longer.

I suspect we use concrete more here due to the proximity to a good supply. It is probably more expensive there.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern

Concrete, I want the driveway to be concrete.

Yeah . . . ignore my post.

[Kjesse]

Start by attending the World of Concrete trade exhibition in Vegas: https://worldofconcrete.com/

[puffnstuff]

I assumed ashphalt because it says paved. You pave with ashphalt. You pour concrete.