How to Pour a Cement Driveway

Measure the length and width of the space where you intend to install the driveway. Do this in inches. Typically, driveways require a 2-inch bed of rock to be covered by 6 inches of cement. Your measure for the necessary amount of aggregate rock, then, is the length times the width times 2. The measurement for the needed amount of cement is length times width times 6.

Buy the necessary amount of aggregate rock and cement from a dealer. Bring your measurements to the dealer, who will determine the necessary amounts. Choose dealers who provide delivery. Designate an area close to the installation for the rock to be dumped. Arrange for the aggregate rock to be delivered a few days before you intend to pour.

Dig out the area in which you intend to pour your driveway. Dig 8 inches in depth. Add an additional 6 inches to all sides when digging out the area. This allows you to frame the areas for pouring.

Level the dug-out area by smoothing and tapping down the dirt. Frame the driveway area using 2-by-8 lengths of lumber, leaving the additional 6 inches on all sides to the outside of the framed area.

Add the aggregate rock to the framed area and tap it down with a soil tamper to level it.

Gather your workforce on the day the cement is to be delivered. The concrete will arrive in a concrete truck and is ready to be poured.

Use shovels to move the cement as it is poured, keeping it as level as possible within the framework.

Use a jitterbug tamper on the surface of the freshly poured cement to remove air bubbles. Continue to smooth the surface, tap with the tamper and level out the wet cement until the pour is complete.

Screed the surface of the cement when the pour is complete. Using a 2-by-4 length of lumber 2 feet longer than the width of the driveway, screed the surface. Do this by laying the lumber across the width at the top of the driveway. Using a seesaw motion, move the lumber across the surface of the driveway. This will remove excess water and cement.

Use a long-handled float to level the cement and give it a smooth finish. Lightly spray the concrete every 4 to 6 hours to prevent cracking. Let it dry for 3 to 5 days before removing the frame and parking your car.