Location: Bonython, ACT
Surface: 3% Black Oxide, Concrete Driveway
Service: Replacement Driveway
Scope: Excavation of existing damaged concrete driveway · Removal of all material from site · New sub-base and reinforcement mesh · Supply and installation of strip drainage · Correct falls set across the driveway · Supply and installation of 3% black oxide concrete
This Bonython home had an old concrete driveway that had reached the end of its life. Water had been sitting on and running under the slab for years, and the damage showed: cracked, broken sections and a surface that no longer shed water the way it should. We took it out completely, rebuilt the base, fixed the drainage and replaced it with a 3% black oxide concrete driveway that suits the dark trim, roller door and shade sails of the home.
The brief
The owners needed a driveway that would last, and that meant dealing with the cause of the damage, not just the surface. They also wanted a finish that tied in with the charcoal tones already across the front of the house. A black oxide concrete driveway, with drainage built in from the start, gave them both.
Starting from the ground up
When water has been getting under a driveway, patching the surface won’t fix it. The whole slab came out. We excavated the existing concrete and removed all material from site, taking the driveway back to the ground beneath.
We then installed a new compacted sub-base across the full area and laid reinforcement mesh on bar chairs, so it sits within the slab where it does its job. The base carries the load and the mesh holds the slab together. It’s the part you never see once the concrete is poured, and the part that decides how long the driveway lasts.
Getting the water right
Water was the problem with the old driveway, so drainage was the priority with the new one.
Strip drainage: We supplied and installed new strip drainage to catch water running down the driveway before it reaches the garage.
Correct falls: The driveway was formed with the right falls so water moves to the drain and off the slab, rather than pooling or tracking back toward the house.
Getting this right at the formwork stage is what stops the same damage happening again.
The finish: 3% black oxide concrete
With the base, mesh and drainage in place, our crew poured a 3% black oxide concrete driveway from the kerb through to the garage. The oxide is mixed through the concrete itself rather than applied to the surface, so the colour runs through the full depth of the slab. Saw-cut control joints were placed across the driveway to manage movement as the concrete cures.
At 3%, black oxide gives a deep charcoal finish that sits well against red brick and dark trims, and hides tyre marks and everyday wear better than plain grey concrete.
What we did
Excavated the existing driveway, removing the damaged, water-affected concrete.
Removed all material from site.
Installed a new sub-base and reinforcement mesh across the full driveway.
Supplied and installed strip drainage and set the correct falls so water drains properly.
Supplied and installed a 3% black oxide concrete driveway.The result
The result
A solid, well-drained driveway that’s built to handle Canberra’s weather and finishes the front of the home properly. The charcoal concrete ties in with the house, the cars sit on a surface that sheds water as it should, and the damage that ruined the old driveway has been dealt with at the source.
Is water damaging your driveway?
Cracking, sinking and pooling water are often signs of a drainage or base problem, not just a worn surface. A free Driveway Assessment tells you what’s causing the damage and whether your driveway needs a repair or a full replacement.
FAQ
What does 3% black oxide mean?
It’s the amount of black oxide pigment added to the concrete mix, measured against the weight of cement. At 3%, it gives a rich charcoal colour. Because the pigment is mixed through the concrete, the colour runs right through the slab rather than sitting on top.
Why does my driveway need strip drainage?
If your driveway falls toward the garage or house, water needs somewhere to go before it gets there. A strip drain catches it across the width of the driveway and carries it away, protecting both the slab and the home.
Can a water-damaged driveway be repaired instead of replaced?
Sometimes. If the damage is on the surface, a repair may be enough. If water has undermined the base, replacement is usually the only lasting fix. We’ll tell you which at your assessment.