Driveway Project: DONE!

[Freedom]

This was NOT a planned project, so no matter how much it cost, it wasn't in the budget: OUCH!

Here are photos which show the problem. The old driveway was asphalt. That and the concrete step for the side door were put in when the garage was added; by the prior owner. Apparently, the compacting was not done correctly. (My garage floor has bumps and cracks, as well.)

April 2008: the asphalt went up to the foundation:
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2008/Apr%2026%20dogs%20in%20sun/IMG_1348Small.jpg

We had loads of rain this Spring and through July. Everything settled and shifted. The gap between the driveway and the foundation was 3 inches in some places, and most of that rain went into my cellar. :rolleyes: Lived here 7 years, NEVER had rain in the cellar until this happened.

The entry step settled:
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2009/Sept%20driveway/IMG_2551Small.jpg

Look at the angle of this step
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2009/Sept%20driveway/IMG_2556Small.jpg

Building code says the step should be 7 inches; it was 13 inches and growing! Not good news for any homeowner -- if someone trips coming out of the house, I am liable. But with my Dad so unsteady this was not an added risk we needed.
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2009/Sept%20driveway/IMG_2554Small.jpg

Here you can see the "old" line where the step used to be, and where it was up to last week:
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2009/Sept%20driveway/IMG_2555Small.jpg


You can see some of the sealer I put in, not that it helped any. :(
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2009/Sept%20driveway/IMG_2554Small.jpg

The asphalt sank, leaving dips for puddles and in this coming winter, plenty of ice. Plus the lip up into the garage was also getting steep.
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2009/Sept%20driveway/IMG_2552Small.jpg

[Freedom]

Garage entry
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2009/Sept%20driveway/IMG_2553Small.jpg

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2009/Sept%20driveway/IMG_2558Small.jpg

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2009/Sept%20driveway/IMG_2559Small.jpg

So started talking with contractors. Seems that due to the economy, the difference in price of asphalt = $6 per ton and concrete = $7 per ton worked in my favor, so I had it all removed and concrete put in.

They had to jack hammer out the step. It was over 8 inches deep :eek: so they stopped. Put rebar into the foundation so the new one won't move, layered the gravel and then the new concrete.

They poured this morning, so we can't walk on it until Friday, can drive on it about Sunday. Looks good!
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2009/Sept%20driveway/IMG_2561Small.jpg

Now it all slopes AWAY from the house, so water run off won't head to my cellar.
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2009/Sept%20driveway/IMG_2562Small.jpg

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2009/Sept%20driveway/IMG_2564Small.jpg

Part of the front walkway -- one "block" also got replaced (wasn't in the plan, but came out with the old driveway)
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2009/Sept%20driveway/IMG_2565Small.jpg

Down at the street edge, we all have curb stone sunk in. That would have given me 2 seams, so they removed the top of that as well. There will be only one seam. They made the outline look like the curb.
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2009/Sept%20driveway/IMG_2563Small.jpg

There is a concrete slab step out the back door of the garage, which I didn't photo. Also got replaced.
Now just a matter of keeping it clear until it cures. Whew!

[Freckles]

You don't want any doggie foot prints? :)

[Pam]

It looks beautiful Sandie! We just replaced ours in May and what a difference! We were told to wait one week before driving on it but could walk on it the next day. I like the idea of a doggie footprint somewhere! :cool: Oh, and the contractor told us to not use salt products on it in the wintertime to get rid of ice (it is concrete like yours). I am wondering what we will do since my front walk (which was also replaced) is in the shade of the house and the sun can never reach it to melt it. I guess we will just fall a lot this winter! :p:p

[Freedom]

LOL, nope, no doggie or kittie pawprints. I DID have them put in the year 2009, in a nonconspicuous place.

[Cataholic]

All I could focus on was your cute doggies! Sorry!! :D

[jennielynn1970]

It looks fantastic!!!

[lvpets2002]

:) Looks good good..

[Karen]

Pam, instead of salt you can use the Ice Melt stuff - it is concrete-safe, paw-safe and works great!

[pomtzu]

Looks great Sandie. Quite a difference from the previous job! :D

Come on everybody - use Ice Melt - please!!! Broken hips are no fun - just ask me. Ice was my downfall (no pun intended)! :p

[happylabs]

I thought the same thing...dog footie prints! Why not? Come one...:D

[Freedom]

LOL, I personalized the kitchen, with a cat and a bichon tile, remember? No paw prints in the concrete. LOL

[krazyaboutkatz]

Wow! What a difference. It looks great.:)

[Pam]

Broken hips are no fun - just ask me. Ice was my downfall (no pun intended)! :p

LOL! Ellie! Sorry to have a laugh at your expense but that was a good one. Thanks for the heads up on Ice Melt. I fell a couple of years ago in the parking lot at work on some ice. Wound up chipping off the tip of my elbow. :eek:

[Daisy and Delilah]

It looks fantastic, Sandie. I know you and Dad are alot more comfortable walking.:)

[pomtzu]

LOL! Ellie! Sorry to have a laugh at your expense but that was a good one. Thanks for the heads up on Ice Melt. I fell a couple of years ago in the parking lot at work on some ice. Wound up chipping off the tip of my elbow. :eek:

Pam, I don't mind you laughing about it. I do all the time - now anyway...:p

Hoping for a mild winter here. I get paranoid anymore even when there is a heavy frost.

Ouchie on the elbow!!!:eek:

[Asiel]

We use Ice Melt here too, can't use the regular salt because of the dogs. Doesn't seem to track into the house as much.
I think you're right Pomtzu....Ice Melt can prevent broken bones....sometimes.......lol.
The contractors seem to have done a great job, it sure looks great compared to what you had and at least the slope is away from the basement.

[Freedom]

So we can start walking on it tomorrow. Can't put the car on there until next Wednesday, that will come soon enough.

[Jenn&Dean]

I really like that! Looks perfect!

[cassiesmom]

Wow, I realized just how big a problem it was looking at the "after" photos. You got the work done while the weather is still good, too :D I like your flag and I like the fluffy-fluffs in the first photo :love: I'm glad you got the step height corrected and that the driveway now slopes away from your house. (Water in basement: bad; trip-n-falls: bad!)

[CultureJunky]

That's a great Job Sandra, at least you now have peace of mind that nothing is dangerous and your dad is safer coming back and forth to the house.
I think paw prints should've been mandatory though!:love: