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Thinking to install concrete driveways in Western Sydney? The concrete is the best option for the driveways as they are very strong and durable and withstands all types of weather conditions and situations. The reason for people opting concrete driveways in western Sydney is they are cheap and requires very less maintenance. The longevity and strength make the concrete driveways a great value for large areas. When being compared to the cobblestone, brick or concrete pavers, it is less expensive and lasts longer than these pavers.
For many years, it was believed as concrete being the cement. But the real truth is the cement plays just a single part in the formation of concrete. It is a composite material which is made up of many types of stone aggregates which stays together with the help of water and Portland cement or the lime-based binder.
The mixture of concrete driveways usually includes the aggregate ranging from sand-sized particles to gravel. The consistency of the concrete is usually in slurry and semi-liquid stage because of which the shape is formed and designed. It hardens over time and takes just a few days to cure it completely.
Installation:
If a little hard work doesn’t stress you much, then one can do the job of a concrete driveway by themselves. Though it requires pain and patience, in the end, it’s all worth it. Time plays an important role during the process of installation as they very quickly harden. So, one must be ready to excavate, pour concrete, prepare forms and finish the surface as quickly as possible. With dedication and hard work, the task can be completed in a week or two.
The job can be perfected only with the help of able and willing helpers. So only for this reason, the job is left for the professional crews. They can complete the task in just a matter of day’s and also with mere perfection.
The job is usually started with the cleaning process of the driveway with removing of grass and other vegetation to create a stable soil foundation. The next step would be the installation of wood forms around the driveways perimeter. A class 5 gravel base is added which should be at least 4 inches thick which is then graded and compacted. Reinforcement material like the metal rebar or steel wire is laid above the gravel base in a criss-cross pattern.
It is now ready for the main job – concrete pour. This task requires many helpers to quickly fill the forms and finish the task as quickly as possible, as they dry very fast.
The most important part of the finishing process is concrete floating. When the concrete is poured, the finishing crew with the help of tools helps to level the surface to create a smoother and attractive surface. It is the floating amount that determines the smoothness of the surface. This is considered as the difficult job as too much of floating will leave the surface weak and too little will make the surface look rough and rigid.
