When an asphalt driveway extends all the way to the front of the
garage, this can quickly become a problem area.
This
area was excavated to allow for construction when the home was originally built. The soils were back-filled, in
most cases without proper compaction, prior to installing the driveway. It can take 20 years or more for soils
to settle completely in this "back-fill" zone. As a result, voids are often created beneath the driveway,
providing a clear path for water to accumulate. This can cause damage to the foundation wall because of freezing
(expansion) and thawing, and will also cause soils to further settle in this area.
So, what is the solution?
The solution is a concrete apron, properly
installed to span the "back-fill" zone.
To prevent future
settling, the new apron must be a minimum of three (3) feet in depth (distance from the garage to the rest
of the driveway) to adequately span the back-fill zone.
The area is sub-cut, and a rock/gravel base is installed.
Re-bar is installed in the joint between the garage floor
and the foundation wall, at two foot intervals, and extended into the apron.
Re-bar is also installed parallel with the front wall of the
garage, at two foot intervals in the apron, as additional reinforcement.
We install 1/2 inch hard board siding along the cut joint between
the asphalt driveway and the new apron to create a straight line and to establish a proper height for the new apron.
The top course of garage foundation block
(if exposed) is filled with concrete.
A new concrete apron is poured using (minimum strength) 4,000 psi concrete.
A curing sealer is applied to the newly
poured concrete apron.
Back to Home Page
TIP: A concrete apron should
be a minimum of 3 feet in depth to adequately span
the "back-fill" zone.
If
a narrow apron is poured, the result will be settling and cracking of the concrete.
