I'm about to pour a new driveway and I'm looking for any tips or suggestions from people who have done this before. I've already decided to run a gas line to my garage for future heating and I'm also planning to add a 1-1/2" conduit for electrical needs. Are there any other important things I should think about before the concrete is poured? Thanks for your advice!
3 Answers
Make sure the ground is properly graded and compacted. If you have underground irrigation, double-check that everything is in good condition before the final payment—it’s hard to fix anything once the concrete is poured! Also, think about any new sidewalks or garden features while you're at it.
You're on the right track with the gas line and conduit! Here are some additional suggestions:
- Install extra conduit runs now, even for potential future needs like EV chargers or lights; it’s really cheap to do it now.
- Make sure to plan drainage properly to avoid water pooling—trust me, standing water leads to problems.
- Consider including heating elements or PEX tubing in case you want a heated driveway in the future—it’s easier to add now.
- Don’t forget to add sleeves for any utilities like water lines or internet; it's way simpler before the concrete is laid down!
Wow, I hadn’t even thought about a heated driveway! I like that idea.
Definitely run multiple conduit channels! This is something I wish I'd done. Having at least two will save you a lot of hassle down the line, even if you’re not sure what you’ll use them for yet. It’s one of those things where you might regret it later if you don’t plan ahead.
Good to know! I just asked a friend about this, too, and I’ll be making sure to do that.
That's great advice! I’ll definitely check on that with my contractor.