How to Build Concrete Driveways In Sections by Yourself - Keeping Things Simple

[gregvancom]

Here's a video that will provide you with a better idea about how much concrete you might need and how to make it easier by pouring it in smaller sections.

[TheWarySamaritan]

Enjoyed this video. I've been pouring since 1979 and my biggest pour ever was an 1100 cubic yard monolithic pour; I had 20 finishers, we started out under lights and finished off under lights. Here in California I've been making segmented pours like this for years, but when I started doing it I was a 'little guy' and had to do this because I lacked the money to hire the crew. Thank you for making this video to help out people. You shouldn't have to go broke if you're a homeowner just wanting to pour a small slab or a driveway now and then. I respect it immensely that you're trying to help people.

[michaelbeck]

I work with a structural engineering firm. If you were to drill a few 1/2" rear dowels on each side to tie together the small slabs, they will be more resistant to moving and work as a unit.

[oceano_drive]

I am a contractor. This will not work, because I cannot charge you tons of money and will be out of business, lol. Great video!

[dumpsterfire]

Hey greg! With your guidance i poured almost 6 yards of driveway extension 1 yard at a time 👌
Im a first timer and it came out great!
Thanks for the videos

[pattojumpship]

Great vid, animation and detailed explanation, I'm sure you've saved a lot of people a lot of money. Right on man.
As a contractor myself, I'm amazed at the amount of contractors out there who insist on mass pouring over sectional pours. The cost in labour and multiple truck deliveries is way more on mass pours over sectional pours and if you use a fibre expansion filler in-between pads, if needed, then theres no need to cut expansion groves, saving more time and labour.

[ajjmunoz]

Youd be surprised how little videos there are on YouTube stating you can pour in sections. I've asked professionals and others online and everyone says you can't do it and gets an attitude. Thanks for your content.

[laughterofelijah]

This is exactly what I was hoping to find! I've been trying to work out how to pour my own patio without tearing up our yard with heavy equipment. Thanks for the thorough walk-through and diagram.

[Hunterhunter-irnz]

I poured a 21x21 patio years ago doing this. 9 - 7x7 pads on 6” of compacted gravel. I used bagged cement so I did a 5” thick pour. One section a day with a small mixer. I Staggered the pours to let them dry. Worked well. I don’t have the confidence to handle a truckload of concrete all at on time. So I did it this way. The hardest part was wheelbarrowing 3 truckloads of gravel over 3 days time.

[petmot]

Great idea to explain the process on diagram / computer ...straight forward.👍

[angelonicassio]

Wow, I have suspected that this could be done. However, there isn’t a single video on YouTube about this, until now! Thanks so much and for all of the tips:)

[brooster]

Great help. Thank you so much. I want to do a garage floor 40x30 so your image was great for 10’Sections. I have a mixer so this will make a huge difference. I wasn’t sure about the new pour and letting it dry and pouring it up against the old but this answered that very clearly.

[sandraanderson]

I have been watching a lot of videos on the topic of pouring a small foundation (I wanted to put up a shed) and your video is by far the most informative and concise video I've watched so far. Thank you.

[kevinhornbuckle]

I like the animation. Your notching suggestion works. As you say, pay attention to using straight lumber for form work. Laminating two 1x4s together before notching is well worth the extra effort. Apply diesel liberally. But don't get it on your re-bar.

[djohnson]

that is exactly how we do it. plus we also use metal twine like wire to tighten up the cross overs [so the rebar does not move] .

awesome video !!

[d.kaiser]

Wow! I've been mulling this one over for about 24 hours now because I have a mixer, can't afford to pay for a truck (especially since I would have to pay extra for rural delivery), and I need some slabs. You just saved me thousands! Thank you!

[SicanguLakotarmSouthDakota]

Best video Ive seen yet. Ive never laid concrete before but yoi definetly boosted my confidence that i can do it myself with a couple helpers with good ol’ fashion elbow grease minus no heavy machinery

[wctcpso]

Thank you for your videos, I appreciate you taking your time to explain the whats and hows for DIYers like me. I have a few questions and perhaps you have already mentioned them but I have yet to find a clear answers on this anywhere online. Q1 - Should I or should I not use any expansion joints in between where my garage floor ends and this new driveway will begin from, like in between the two edges of concrete? Currently what I have is, on one edge is old concrete slab from my garage floor and the other edge is the asphalt, which is what I am planing to get rid of and have a driveway made up of concrete. Q2 - Do I need to have an expansion joint in between where the entryway sidewalk ends and where the side of the driveway begins? I plan on making both on separate days. Q3 - Do I need to have an expansion joint in between the side-edge of the entryway-sidewalk and the side wall of the house (concrete)? Q4 - Is it a good practice to have the expansion joints in between the sections of the driveway where the control joints are automatically being formed with this sectional approach or is it not? Because it seems, since the control joints will already be present, the expansion joints are no longer needed, like a redundancy. But then again, because these sections are being made with a time delay in between and I am also hearing from the folks at my local hardware store that I have to have an expansion joint in between two concrete slabs to help prevent damage to concrete due to expansion and contraction and that they are typically used in between concrete slabs and to separate slabs from structures. I am confuse to whether or not I should have to have the expansion joints, please help. Q5 - Lastly, how can I know the correct amount of clay/sand/gravel to lay under the driveway and under the sidewalk, like what condition of the soil sets the bar to use how much and which kind (clay/sand/gravel)? If there is any video that you may already have which mentions anything on this, please let me know. Thank you so much in advance.

[donnyluv]

Very informative video. I've laid pads for monument signs so I know what will work, but this just confirmed and showed me some good tips. Thanks much.

[StephenNu]

Very good. Showing the rebar passing through the notches of the wood was a useful insight.