RAYMOND and other concrete/paving guys..... Question....

[taoist]

I am considering re-paving the parking area for the office and adding some extra spaces (only adding about 3 extra spaces in an adjacent grassy area)....

Right now there is a paved drive with a few paved parking spaces and a few more graveled spaces.... Since part of the area for current spaces is already paved and part is graveled, should I just have some gravel brought in for the new spaces and re-pave over all of it? Can you concrete over the paving? I doubt it would look right re-paving the existing area and pouring concrete for the new spaces....

Costs vs benefits, etc????

Anyone's opinion (except for ScottUSC) would be much appreciated.... Thanks in advance.

 

[Captain Crunch]

Taoist, first I would consider if you are going to be at this same location long enough to get your money out it. If you are wanting something that is going to last and require a lot less maintenance (if it is done right) I would use concrete. If you can't spend a lot of money right now, call a reputable paving contractor and they will put down a gravel base for you before they pave it. If you are worried about the asthetics, the concrete will obviously have a different look than the asphalt that has been there for a while, and you would probably be better off using asphalt if you are worried about the look (compared to the existing asphalt). A concrete parking lot would be a lot more expensive, but it would be something that would require a lot less maintenance over the years and would look nicer IMO. It comes down to how much you want to spend and will you be there to get your money back out of it. If you thing you might be there only five more years, go with asphalt. If you plan on staying there for a long time, you might consider concrete.

Good Luck Let me know if you have any more questions.

 

[phin8181]

Just go ahead and knock the whole house down and start over.......

:brows:

 

[taoist]

...hey phin, fawk off and get back out there and throw some grass seed in your bare-ass yard!!! LOL :mj07: :scared
...btw, gf is leaving for disney world friday for 10 days.... want to party on a weekend, either of the next 2 will be good! :mj14: :mj14:


...thanks for the reply, Captain. I plan to be here for awhile, but don't have the cash flow to throw a ton of money at it right now. if i were just going to add the extra spaces, i can get my brother to dig them out and fill them with gravel with his bobcat. then come back later on when i've got a little extra cash and do something with all of it. it will get me by for awhile, but i plan on practing in this office for the next 30+ years, god willing. do you have any suggestions regarding the gravel or anything in the new added spaces, especially if i wanted to come back later and concrete or pave over everything? thanks in advance.

 

[Spalding]

Asphalt is a heck of a lot less and the would be best if your lot is asphalt right now. The whole deal with asphalt is the base. Make sure you get at least 4-6 inches of aggregate base (whatever your state aggregate is called) and make sure it is packed well (97-100%) and your asphalt will look good and last a good amount of time (will require small maintenance over time though).

 

[Captain Crunch]

Taioist, as Spalding said, the asphalt is only as good as what is underneath it. If you don't put something down there that won't get 97-100% compaciton, it won't last. The better the base, the longer it will last. If at some point you decide to go with concrete, your whole parkiing lot will more than likely have to be regraded including removal of the asphalt and sub-grade so that all of your elevations will work for drainage. It sounds like asphalt is going to be your best bet at this point. If you have your brother-in-law take care of the grading for you, make sure he puts in some sort of rock that can be compacted such as AB3 or crush or run. Don't let him put in 1/2" or 3/4" clean, as it won't get the necessary compaction you want to achieve.

 

[taoist]

Thanks for the advice, fellas. I will keep that in mind....

 

[Franky Wright]

CC,
Are you in the concrete business too?
Anyway, if Taoist doesn't mind, I would like to know what is the best way to fill cracks in concrete. Not only hairline cracks, but the ones between the expansion joints. Some of my walks are starting to heave, and I think I need to get the water out of that area. (Cold winters here in Wisconsin). Also, any recommendations on how to seal concrete, amount, product, etc. Can you elaborate on the those types of rock, AB3.....etc?
Some of the concrete guys I talk to around here dont have all there marbles
Thx
Franky
P.S. Where the hell is Raymond, did he get stuck in a mixer :mj07:

 

[Redfish]

Franky....I bought a house that had a concrete block shed out back....whoever framed the doorway in exerted so much pressure that they actually seperated the block from the header ....as much as 1" in some places.

Debated using caulking to fill them in and went to Ace Hardware to buy some and noticed they had a concrete repair product that comes in approx half gallon plastic buckets. Stuff is ready to use (no mixing) and is easy to work...takes forever to dry & cure but did a great job.

 

[Captain Crunch]

Franky, I don't use a lot of those products, so I don't know how much help I could be in that area. Whether you use some type of caulk or grout, it definetely is going to be more noticeable once you try and fix those spots and chances are it will seperate again during the next winter and will reopen the area that you already fixed. I know most hardware stores carry a grey colored caulk that is for concrete surfaces, but don't know how good the stuff is. If you are wanting to fill in where an expansion joint was, this might be a good product to use.

If you are wanting to use a sealer, I would go to some construction supply dealer. Stuff like that Thompson's Water Sealer is a big waste of time and money IMO. I was at a home show this winter and talked to a guy who had a booth for a company he and his son were starting here in KC that did driveway sealing. I remember him telling me that this product was started in Canada, and alot of people use it with great success up there. I know he was trying to sell me on the stuff, but he said that one of the biggest concrete suppliers here was very skeptical and called BS on their claims, and after doing testing on it, are now promoting it. Here is the website http://www.sealmaxx.com/concrete-sealant.asp

The type of rock I was refering to has rock dust in it to allow for compaction. Not sure what else you want to know about it, but it makes for a good base for asphalt or concrete.

Let me know if you have any more questioins.

 

[RAYMOND]

CC,
Are you in the concrete business too?
Anyway, if Taoist doesn't mind, I would like to know what is the best way to fill cracks in concrete. Not only hairline cracks, but the ones between the expansion joints. Some of my walks are starting to heave, and I think I need to get the water out of that area. (Cold winters here in Wisconsin). Also, any recommendations on how to seal concrete, amount, product, etc. Can you elaborate on the those types of rock, AB3.....etc?
Some of the concrete guys I talk to around here dont have all there marbles
Thx
Franky
P.S. Where the hell is Raymond, did he get stuck in a mixer :mj07:

:brows: been busy as hell