Building a concrete driveway is a highly effective method to prevent soil erosion in your lawn; as well as providing a more stable grip for a motor vehicle in any type of weather. It is also beneficial to increase curb appeal for properties that are being sold and, if well maintained, can increase the value of a home to a great degree. Unfortunately, not all houses present with concrete driveways and the houses that do may have poorly maintained options. This article will provide information on how to go about pumping your own concrete driveway.

The first factor that must be taken into account when considering pumping concrete
into a driveway is the issue of planning approval from the local assessing authority. The majority of engineering constructions require permit approval and regulation to ensure authorities have sanctioned the project. Once a permit has been acquired, it is possible to begin the project by assessing the nature of the soil. This is important because the soil can influence the concrete being pumped. It is recommended that you use a professional soil assessor for this task.

When pumping a concrete driveway, it is recommended that you remove all plants or pieces of grass that may be in the demarcated area. In places where the soil is loose, similar to soil found in deserts, it is advised that the soil be removed and replaced with firm-based materials. This is due to the fact that concrete is unable to settle on loose soil and may cause the driveway to “fall” if pumped onto the loose soil.

If you are based in colder temperatures, it is necessary to mix the soil with gravel or other crushed stones. This is important because soil will expand when water in the ground freezes, but if gravel is present the soil will not expand. If no gravel is present and the soil expands, it is possible that the pumped concrete could crack and the driveway will have gaping holes.

Once the soil is effectively prepared, it is time to begin working on the design of the driveway by marking out the area using metal or wooden boards. This will ensure that the driveway width is sufficient for you to move a car on the area without any problems. If you are planning to construct the driveway above utilities, such as electricity or water, it is recommended that they are placed alternatively under the boards.
Once the boards have been placed, it is time to lay the concrete. The concrete pumping truck must be placed in a position where it can easily lay the concrete without any obstructions. It is recommended that you use a professional if you are unsure of how to go about using this type of machinery.