Concrete slabs in the Midwest really take a beating from the extreme temperature swings they are subjected to. Driveways, of course, suffer the worst abuse because they also have to support our vehicles with the twisting and turning of tires as well as the many types of lubricants and various chemicals that inevitably leak from them. That is why whenever we install a driveway, whether it is a new driveway or replacing an existing driveway, we do everything we can to give that driveway a fighting chance. If we’re replacing an existing driveway, the original material (normally concrete or asphalt) is removed and hauled away. We then remove enough dirt to accommodate approximately 3” to 4” of rock and 4” of concrete. After the forms are set, the rock is well compacted and the depth is again checked to insure that the concrete poured is at least 4” thick. All of our driveways are poured with a six-bag mix and reinforced with 6” square wire mesh and fiber mesh.