The Problem
The existing driveway had settled unevenly, creating a 2-inch lip at the garage apron that caught snow plows and caused tripping. Multiple large cracks had allowed water to penetrate below the slab, accelerating the settlement. Sections near the street had heaved from tree root intrusion - a common problem in Arlington Heights neighborhoods with mature parkway trees.
The homeowner had previously paid for mudjacking (foam injection) to level the slab, but the settlement returned within two seasons. The underlying cause - poor subgrade compaction and inadequate drainage - was never addressed.
Our Solution
The entire existing driveway was demolished and removed. We excavated 8 inches below the planned slab surface and discovered the original was poured directly on native clay with no gravel base - explaining the persistent settlement.
The subgrade was compacted to 95% standard Proctor density. A 4-inch compacted gravel base (CA-6 grade) was placed and compacted in lifts. Where tree roots had caused heaving, roots were cut cleanly and a root barrier was installed along the parkway edge.
The new slab is 680 square feet of 4-inch thick, 4,000 PSI air-entrained concrete reinforced with welded wire mesh (6x6 W1.4/W1.4). Air entrainment is critical in this climate - the microscopic air bubbles provide internal pressure relief during freeze-thaw cycles, dramatically reducing surface scaling and spalling.
Control joints were saw-cut at 10-foot maximum intervals within 12 hours of placement to control cracking. The garage apron was poured 6 inches thick with a smooth transition.
The Result
The new driveway drains properly toward the street with no low spots or ponding. The garage apron transition is smooth and level. The air-entrained mix and proper joint spacing will resist the freeze-thaw damage that destroys standard concrete driveways in 10-15 years.
