Driveway Finish?

[mateusz.szalda]

Hello,

I just build a new driveway but the township inspector is now giving me trouble about it. I obtained a permnit prior to starting it, and the driveway is done correctly. I used a broom finish which is supposed to be used on a driveway so it is not slippery. I did the broom finish going down on the driveway (going from the top to the bottom) and what he is saying is that it has to be done accross. I live in NJ and I tried to find out if that is actually the case but I cannot find that information anywhere. I've had two contractors look at it and they said that the driveway is fine and that the inspector should not be giving me a problem with it. The inspector said that I have take down the driveway and start over, I deffinitely do not want to do that because of the time and money that I put into it. Can you guys help me with this? Is the inspector sinmply making stuff up? And what should I do? Thanks so much for the help.

[Dick Seibert]

I've never heard of a permit being required for a driveway, there are design review requirements for maximum slope, and some cities have color requirements in their design review approvals, many cites here are now requiring driveways to be permeable surfaces actually banning concrete driveways, but none that I know of require permitting for driveways.

I think it best for you to go to a building inspectors forum and ask your question there, they also welcome homeowner questions which this forum doesn't.

[Ted S.]

I disagree with the inspector and think you did the right thing. I always specified the broom finish in the direction of drainage.

This may be recommended under ACI 301, I don't recall but I saw it somehwere.

[NW Architect]

OP could be describing the apron to the driveway, and/or the part that crosses the sidewalk, which are parts usually regulated by Public Works construction standards. Easiest is to ask the inspector for a copy of the written regulation.

[kfc510]

OP could be describing the apron to the driveway, and/or the part that crosses the sidewalk, which are parts usually regulated by Public Works construction standards. Easiest is to ask the inspector for a copy of the written regulation.

Exactly. I haven't done many driveways, (like 4?) but they have always wanted a drawing and permit for the section that meets/crosses the public right-of-ways. They haven't cared at all about the part on the private property. The inspector has been from the public works division of the building dept., not one of the normal "building" inspectors.

As to whether the broom finish needs to be across the direction of travel, I was always taught that rule also, but I did break the rule in one case, and the inspector didn't say a word. (She did note I hadn't used the lampblack the city required for the section that crossed the sidewalk, so it's not like she wasn't paying attention.)

Ted, check out ACI 5.3.4.2.d

"Immediately after concrete has received a floated finish, give the concrete surface a coarse transverse scored texture by drawing a broom or burlap across the surface."

That part about the "transverse scored texture" seems to say the inspector is right (by that standard).

kevin

[Ted S.]

Ted, check out ACI 5.3.4.2.d

"Immediately after concrete has received a floated finish, give the concrete surface a coarse transverse scored texture by drawing a broom or burlap across the surface."

That part about the "transverse scored texture" seems to say the inspector is right (by that standard).

He may very well be right and I may be wrong. I'm not above being wrong anymore. Although "transverse scored texture" is mind numbing to me.

My approach would be to spew out a bunch of standards mixed in with profanity and sound like I know what I am talking about so as not be questioned.

However when you guys cite DPW standards you are probably right, that's probably what is going on here. I could see that happening.