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The entry of the driveway is just a rock bed with no concrete. I want to replace it, it doesn't have to be replaced with concrete so I'm open to suggestions there. If it is a diy, what are the high level steps involved? What about tools? I know the old stuff has to go, but beyond that I don't know. I'm in MI, USA also in case there are some local laws anyone is aware of.

MDMoore313
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  • @Tester101 I'm looking for a generic description yes, but also if it is even worth tackling myself. – MDMoore313 Apr 23 '13 at 18:43
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    My guess is that most DIY'ers would underestimate the physical demands of such a job – Steven Apr 23 '13 at 18:49
  • @Steven I think you're right, but I'm in pretty decent shape. I don't have an active job, however I do powerlift as a hobby. – MDMoore313 Apr 23 '13 at 18:55
  • @Tester101 how is this question different from the multitude of Is [project] a diy questions on the site? – MDMoore313 Apr 23 '13 at 18:56
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    Well, there's two questions here, really. One is removing an existing concrete driveway. The other is putting in a driveway. The former is tough DIY, smashing and hauling concrete is not a simple job. The latter can certainly be DIY, but we'd likely need to know what you are looking to replace it with. There's lots of options for driveways. Perhaps adding a few more details will help people answer the 'is it DIY' part. – DA01 Apr 23 '13 at 18:59
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    @MDMoore313 "How do I make a concrete pad?" is a good, on topic, answerable question. "Can I do it myself?" is not. I personally don't agree any "Is [project] diy" question should be on topic, but that's a matter for Meta. – Tester101 Apr 23 '13 at 19:00
  • @Tester101 I had a feeling you were going to say that (I personally don't agree....), I will edit the question accordingly. – MDMoore313 Apr 23 '13 at 19:03
  • @Tester101 thanks, I have edited the question accordingly and will probably ask a few more related questions. – MDMoore313 Apr 23 '13 at 19:10
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    If you want an idea of the kind of work involved in removing that amount of earth, take a look at my blog post which will eventually go up on DIY.SE's blog - http://giamban.co/patio.php I haven't even started on the patio yet; still working on leveling and building forms for the planting beds. Not to demotivate you; just to give you an idea. I'm doing it with just hand tools also - no Skid Steer or excavators. – lsiunsuex Apr 23 '13 at 19:23
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    If you can stand the elevation gain, the existing rocks might work just fine as part of the concrete base. – Bryce Oct 27 '13 at 00:51
  • Are you in an area that limits your "impervious surface" area? (Many cities and counties want to avoid runoff problems, especially if the EPA might force them to treat the runoff water.) If so, you might need to get a building permit for your excavation and paving. – Jasper Nov 21 '14 at 05:07
  • @Jasper Good question, I'll have to look up the village charter, and I'll most certainly need a permit, but it shouldn't be a problem since all the neighbors have paved driveways. – MDMoore313 Nov 21 '14 at 11:49

3 Answers3

10

DIY option:

  • rent a skid steer
  • scrape off existing driveway
  • buy crushed rock
  • spread with skid steer, rake
  • rent a compacter and compact crushed rock layer
  • bring in sand, spread, screed and level.
  • buy concrete pavers
  • start laying them
  • depending on your age/health, buy lots of Advil

Good luck!

DA01
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    LOL. I love this answer. – shirlock homes Apr 23 '13 at 18:47
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    For the record, I have done this for a Patio--though I went with a wheelbarrow/shovel over the Skid Steer. Never again. – DA01 Apr 23 '13 at 18:57
  • @DA01 how big was the patio? – MDMoore313 Apr 23 '13 at 18:59
  • @MDMoore313 I'd say it was a 'small' driveway size. About 40' long x 10' wide. I should have noted that I hired out the removal of the old concrete part. If you DIY yourself, you'll want to break up the existing driveway by drilling holes and then filling with 'expansive mortar' to break it all up. Then rent some heavy equipment to do the actual hauling away of the concrete. – DA01 Apr 23 '13 at 19:03
  • @DA01 drill holes as in an 18v drill? – MDMoore313 Apr 23 '13 at 19:04
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    @MDMoore313 I suppose it depends on your concrete, but I imagine you'd need a high powered impact drill to make easy work of the concrete. The idea, however, is that it's easier to drill a bunch of holes than it is to spend a week with a sledgehammer. – DA01 Apr 23 '13 at 19:34
  • Given it's Michigan and you've got ice heave to worry about, consult with someone on how thick a gravel layer you want. Make sure it's well drained. – Fiasco Labs Apr 23 '13 at 20:43
  • A well laid paver driveway shouldn't have any issues regarding ice (or any more issues than concrete would have) – DA01 Apr 23 '13 at 20:47
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    40'X10'X6" is 200 cubic feet. Concrete weighs about 150lb/cu ft. Total weight would be 15 tons. Sure you could use a mere 4" slab and hope no one parks anything really heavy on it, but that calc ignores excavation for the gravel/sand bed. That'll at least double the weight you need to move. 30 tons is more than a couple of trips to the landfill with your 1/2ton pickup. – Wayfaring Stranger Apr 23 '13 at 23:43
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It depends if you want it to function or function and look good too. DAO1 had a good answer.

I think you asked if hanging blinds is a DIY. On a scale of 1 to 100 hanging blinds is maybe a 10. Doing your driveway is maybe in the upper 80s. DAO1 gave you probably the easiest way to do it. Even doing it this way requires lots of man power, renting lots of tools, and being patient.

You need to figure out how much it will cost to rent these tools in your area, how much manpower you have (I would guess 50 total hours needed), how much materials will cost, and compare this price to having someone pour you a driveway/garage.

Also think about the mistakes you could make - things not being flat or level - and how hard it will be to rectify these mistakes. And then the last thing - how much is your house worth? If a paved driveway will cost 5K and add 4K to the value of your house then you are only out 1K. If you do a sloppy job with pavers - you have spent money and your house might not have any increased value. If your job is done really bad then it could decrease value of the house since there will be more removal.

I am not saying don't do the pavers. I am saying as a DIYer you need to weigh the costs and your ability to do finishing touches. Kind of like someone saying they want granite countertops, should they get a slab and make the countertops themselves?

If this is a starter home and you have 4-5 friends you can count on for a weekend then I might think about it.

DMoore
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Yes. Removing and pouring a concrete driveway can definitely be done by a nonprofessional.

Remove the old material

Move the material that is currently occupying the space, to a different location. Make sure the different location is appropriate for the material, and the owner of that location is aware the material will be moved there.

Prepare for the new material

Make sure the space that previously contained the material that was moved, is ready to receive the material that will replace the material that was removed. This may involve packing down the material below the material that was removed.

Put in the new material

Finally, you'll put the new material into the space that the removed material used to occupy. This may involve adding different types of materials in layers, and possibly preparing each layer of material for the next layer of material.

Enjoy

Now that the previous material has been replaced by new material, you can enjoy your driveway.

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Tester101
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  • I agree and I worked for a concrete company in college. But in my area the costs of renting everything would come pretty close to getting someone to do it for you. And even with a background in doing the work I wouldn't do my own garage. Driveway maybe but garage no way. – DMoore Apr 23 '13 at 19:48
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    @DMoore Not everything is about $$$. How do you put a price on the satisfaction I get knowing I did the job myself? – Tester101 Apr 23 '13 at 19:50
  • that is a really good point. Maybe I didn't see the artisan value in a driveway. If it were finishing touches in a house I might see it differently. Interesting to see what % of people are asking questions because they want to do the work or because they need/have to do the work because of $. – DMoore Apr 23 '13 at 20:01
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    Artisan schmartisan. There are very few DIY projects I would not undertake even though I am capable of performing the task. Concrete work involving finishing on any scale is one of them. Pour day is heavy, miserable work, and usually stressful with the mud threatening to quickly turn into a 15 ton useless blob. No thanks. But yeah, can be done. – bcworkz Apr 23 '13 at 21:40
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    assuming your aren't trying to mix, pour, or finish the concrete yourself then this is do-able. all your really responsible for is the site preparation which is easy if you get a skid steer. also might want to hire some one to either stamp your concrete and/or cast pigment directly after the pour. they make casting pigments that not only color the concrete and make it look good but can also transform the top 1/4" to harden to roughly 5500 - 7000 PSI making it incredibly durable. – TugboatCaptain Apr 24 '13 at 10:29
  • Preparing for the new material, this may involve adding crushed rock and or sand, correct? From what I've read so far, this is for grading the new concrete pad/pavers, right? – MDMoore313 Apr 24 '13 at 13:55