Correct Way to Put in a New Driveway

Line the borders of the driveway with ropes. Measure the width of the area with a tape measure and add 3 inches on each side for the form boards.

Use an excavator or shovel to excavate the site until you have an expanse at least 1 foot deep. The walls should be straight and vertical. Slope the bottom of the expanse for proper drainage. Dig the bottom 1 inch deeper every 4 feet of length from the top of the driveway site. Compact the bottom with a hand tamper until the dirt resists pressure.

Fill the expanse with 9 inches of 3/4-inch crushed rocks. Spread them out with the shovel, shifting the rocks to slope down to the street 1 inch for every 4 feet. Tamp the rocks until they form a solid, sturdy base.

Line the interior perimeter with 2-by-4-inch boards so the tops of the boards sit about 1 inch above the ground. Fasten the boards together with screws, brackets and a drill so the whole foundation is framed.

Stir concrete mix with water in a concrete mixer following the package instructions. Tilt the mixer over the site and pour the concrete from the top of the driveway to the bottom.

Rake wet concrete across the gravel with a gauge rake to work out air pockets. Drag a screed board over the surface to scrape away excess, and smooth it with a squeegee. If you want to create traction on the surface, push a stiff broom over the top to cut shallow grooves in the concrete.

Hold a wood board over the surface and cut control joints into the concrete every 4 square feet with the edge of a trowel. Make them half as deep as the slab to control water runoff and prevent cracks in the surface.

Lay moist, breathable material like burlap over the driveway, and keep it moist for a week. This keeps the concrete from drying out too fast, increasing its strength.

Seal the driveway three weeks after pouring the concrete. Use a penetrating acrylic sealant to enable water to evaporate through the surface.