Strange Driveway Detail - InspectionNews

imported_John Smith · #1 (**permalink**) 09-07-2007, 05:14 PM

A house I did this morning had a strange detail on the driveway. Envision the driveway sectioned in 1/3rds, (lengthwise, from street to garage), then sectioned down the middle (width) on the sections closest to the garage and the middle section. The section closest to the road was sectioned on an offset like a 1/3 and 2/3 of width. I was curious why the section closest to the street didnt have the expansion joint in the center of the driveway like the middle section and section closest to the garage.

In case I didnt explain correctly (forgot to take a photo of it). Maybe this will help.

Length of driveway from street to attached garage is 60'. The 60' consists of 3 setions, each 20' long. There is an expansion joint in the center of the driveway (12' width, expansion joint at 6') on the middle section and the section closest to the attached garage. The final 20' length of driveway closest to the road had the expansion joint set at 4' of 12' or offset.
Can anyone explain why the expansion joint wasnt down the middle of the driveway all the way down the length of the driveway? I noticed the same detail on other homes in the subdivision, but most of the homes all had the expansion joint down the center throughout the entire length.

Clear as mud? Now whos on third?

Jerry Peck · #2 (**permalink**) 09-07-2007, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by imported_John Smith

Now whos on third?

I don't know.

Quote:

Abbott: I say Who's on first, What's on second, I Don't Know's on third.

They are not "expansion joints" but "control joints", meant to "control" cracking (so it cracks in the joint ... hopefully).

I guess whoever did that drive has seen too many with the wings of the apron by the street broken off, so they put the control joints out there at the 1/3 points and angled them, just like the cracks will likely do.

Was it cracked elsewhere? Did those control joints do their job?

imported_John Smith · #3 (**permalink**) 09-07-2007, 06:49 PM

Jerry, the driveway wasnt cracked. I just thought it strange that the control joints didnt line up.

To clarify,
The control joints in the apron werent diagonal, they were parallel to the length of the drive way. And also, the apron wasnt sectioned in 3 pieces, but in 2, with the control joint at 1/3rd the width of the driveway.

Its not far from the house, I will try to swing by this weekend and snap a photo.

Thanks for setting me straight on my terminology.

Bruce Breedlove · #4 (**permalink**) 09-07-2007, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by imported_John Smith

Jerry, the driveway wasnt cracked.

If it is not cracked it will be the first driveway (or any concrete flatwork) to not crack. If you look close enough I guarantee you will find shrinkage cracks or other minor cracking. Take a look in the control joints and I am sure you will see cracking (in the joint where you want them).

Eric Shuman · #5 (**permalink**) 09-08-2007, 07:52 AM

John,

Did it look similar to this? There was no expansion joint at the apron on this one but it did have a control joint.

Eric

David Banks · #6 (**permalink**) 09-08-2007, 08:03 AM

Are these sawed control joints or hand tooled control joints? By your explanation I do not see why they would do this except maybe for a different look.The risk on their part is the length wise joint may decide to go right past the last joint and continue on toward the street.