Jacking cars.

[cossicapri]

Hi,
i`m planning a new 2 car drive, and require some assitance, so i don`t end up paying for something i don`t need.

I`m a hobbyist mechanic and regularly maintain my own large saloon cars (latest an old XJ6 ), my questions are:
a) which is the best drive surface to use? (considering i will be liying on it. lol)
b) how deep should the sub-base be (is 150mm really enough)?
c) do i need a concrete slab? if so re-inforced?

i have had my 1st quote and i think its OTT as the the soil is Firm to hard clay, my existing garage only has a 50mm thick concrete slab and hasn`t cracked in 50 years of abuse.

[lutonlagerlout]

hmmm
do you want functionality or/and looks
concrete block paving can work very well expect to pay between 60-80 quid per metre all in
tarmac isnt so clever when working with oils
subbase 100-150mm is adequate for normal vehicles <3 tonnes

no you do not need a concrete slab
clay is not much kop as a sub grade,and your existing floor maybe 50 years old but try finding the lads that laid it
LLL

[cossicapri]

Thanks for the advice. I would be happy with 2in slabs but unfortunately it needs to blend with the shared drive.

Smaller rectangular block pavers would blend nicely. But I'm concerned would cause problems with wieght distribution.

A chequer plate would defeat the objective and I may as well have the cat parked on a giant litter tray I.e gravel.

Jag is 2200 kg, depending on how many bodies are in the boot lol.

[Dave_L]

Jacking cars on a 50mm concrete 'slab' is just asking for trouble.

I would expect your first quote which you deem to be OTT would be about right - what have they specified?

[cossicapri]

150 sub followed 300 reinforced concrete followed by 50 c30 (patterned)

The garage was built in 1940's so no doubt different rules if any applied, an it has stood the test of time.

[DNgroundworks]

300mm re-inforced?! is your driveway used to land jumbos?!!

[Kuts]

I'd say that might be slightly over the top:p

[lutonlagerlout]

150 sub followed 300 reinforced concrete followed by 50 c30 (patterned)

they gonna dig out 500mm?
BS
run them cossi for they know not what they do
150 subbase and 150 c30 concrete is more than ample,for vehicles <7 tonnes
what the pattern bollocks all about?
LLL ???

[DNgroundworks]

Most ive done is rc45 200mm thick double reinforced, and that was for artic lorrys lol.

Like LLL says 150mm MOT then 150mm concrete is more than enough

[cossicapri]

Pattern imprinted concrete. Anyone no the calcs behind it all?

[mickavalon]

Imprinted concrete to jack a car up on?? Surely not advisable. It won't stay shiny for long.

[lutonlagerlout]

PIC when done correctly can look good

but from what i see with my eyes in the uk its is generally a huge fail

I have advised many friends against PIC ,they have gone ahead and 3-4 years later they say they wished they had listened to me

no drive finish looks good for ever but with your remit ,concrete or block paving is the way forward
LLL

[cossicapri]

I can't thank you enough for all your advise. Think blocks are the way forward. I wonder how you move a thread to a different forum. Lol

[cookiewales]

You could use granite setts no problem with oil ore breaking when jacking

[cossicapri]

Another thing that bothers me is how to provide drainage the quote just says "provide drainage" an how do you do that on clay with no grassy area`s nearby, and a natural fall of 1 in 10 towards the road? using the subbase as a soakaway?