Can I successfully expand my driveway by creating small concrete slabs every few days without using mesh reinforcement?
Asked by Holly Fowler 
1 week ago
Last Updated: November 12, 2024
I’m thinking about extending my driveway by pouring one or two small concrete slabs every few days, similar in size to the one I made today. Do you think they’ll be okay without using mesh at this size?
I’d connect it to the current concrete using rebar
That seems like a significant amount of cold joints.
It seems like is creating pavers, so the cold seam shouldn’t be a concern.
Without mesh or rebar, it’s going to crack as soon as you drive over it.
I’m thinking of doing the same thing, but only for walking
I think it would be simpler to compact a solid base and lay down large pavers instead.
Consider adding some fiberglass rebar to reinforce them, maybe (2) 1/2″ pieces along the length of the section since there will be vehicles driving over them.
That’s definitely going to cause issues. It would be best to pour a slab, making sure it’s at least 5 inches thick and reinforced with wire mesh.
What I would do is create a form for the section you want to expand, dig deeper, add gravel as a solid base, lay down some 8×8 mesh, pour the concrete, add some rebar to tie it all together, finish it with a broom, and you’re good to go. Working on it in small sections is only going to lead to cracks in the future.
That’s just going to develop cracks over time and end up being a waste of money. You should really consider reinforcing it more by going deeper with mesh and rebar. If you’re planning to work on small sections like that, a brick driveway might be a better option.