During this summer, I have a project that I need to get on its way and I am doing my research now. I will have half of my driveway demo and redone. I am planning to hire a concrete contractor to do this project.

First, how much will this cost for half of a driveway or how much to demo and repour concrete for the entire driveway? I am weighing between doing the entire thing or just half depends on the cost.

Second, the reasons for redoing is because I want to put in 4 sleeves for removable bollards to minimize the impact of a crash if some idiot might drive through my garage since I live at a T. Each bollard costs about $700. I was going to buy an old car and just park on the driveway. However, I did the math and it seems to come out about the same, including registration and smog checks. I also think 4 bollards are probably more sturdy. If you can think of a more cost effective way, please share. The goal is not to stop a moving vehicle completely but minimize the impact.

https://www.1800bollards.com/product...vable-bollards


Third, in addition to the above, I would like to run a water pipe from the source (left side of driveway) to the plants (right side of the driveway). What type of pipe should I use? Not PCV right, more like Copper and what is the size in diameter?

Fourth, I would like to run electrical, same as the water pipes. What type of conduit should I run?

Fifth, there are some cracks in the driveway but not severe.

Thank You

 

Try contacting local welding or metal fabrication shops about bollards. They could make something for a good bit less than $700 a piece. I would have them fabricate something that folds down. Have them pivot to the street so from your house they just push over and lay flat but from the street direction they hit a stop and are rigid. But a steel pipe in a socket is really simple to fabricate.

Do you have room to put a S turn into your driveway? A few heavy barricades, maybe large rocks that you have to make an S turn to get around. Someone out of control in a straight line would catch one of the barriers.

For underground piping my premium choice would be PEX. Next after that I'd pick black poly pipe with the highest psi rating I can find. Rigid PVC and copper would be distant seconds.

 

All of your suggestions are good Pilot Dane. I will check with the local welding or metal fabrication shops about the bollards. I can't picture the fold down but I think I understand.

As for the "S" turn into your driveway, I think it is not long enough because it fits a regular truck. Someone a few years ago suggested large rocks but when I looked into it, those rocks can cost just as much as the bollards but much harder to move.

As for the underground pipes, I will keep that in mind. I did not know we can use PEX outside. What about electrical wires? Should I run it through 3/4 conduit?

Thanks

 

You should put PVC sleeves under the driveway.
This will allow you to put in whatever you want in the future.
With sleeves you can run UF electrical cable or PEX hose.

If it was me.... I'd put in two 2" PVC pipes across the driveway. Use SCH 80 if you can get it.

 

Thank You Pete, I will do that.

 

I agree with Pete about putting PVC sleeves under the driveway. You could even go with larger pipes (3" or 4") and just use them to run whatever under the driveway. They don't have to be electrical pipes. Just plumbing should be fine. For the water, I would recommend running PEX pipe or the black irrigation pipe.

 

the bollards need to be removable?
you mentioned large rocks and a old car so not sure where there going if at the edge why not a raised bed or something that may actually look good also.

 

Allan, yes, they need to be removable in case I need to park the cars in the garage. Can you elaborate more on the raising part? Do you mean to raise the driveway?

Tolyn, thanks!

Pilot Dane, when I contact the local welding or metal fabrication shops about bollards, is there any special type of steel that I should request for when they make these?

 

Type K copper or black PVC for burial.

Not sure PEX is approved for burial. It may be though.

 

I wouldn't worry about the type of steel. The bigger issue will be what the shop might have in stock or can easily get. For example 4" schedule 40 steel pipe would be a good, commonly available material to make the posts. Then the shop will either need to find/buy material for a socket or if they will have to fabricate it from scratch. They may have to get creative and pick one material based on another.

 

Pilot Dane, it has been a while since I visited this subject which I got back to it this week. I did contact the local welding and metal fabrication shops as you recommended. The price is more or less the same, in some cases, much more. I am going to continue to research on this. Thanks

 

Since you've waited this long I would continue to wait at least several more months. Steel prices have gone crazy this summer and especially for steel tubing. In some cases I've had to pay almost twice as much as I did six months ago. The prices are forecast to stabilize in the 3rd quarter and hopefully be coming back down in the 4th quarter.

 

I agree Dane.

I did find this at a reasonable good price Dane. It is the pour in concrete type but I am sure it can still be used with a sleeve to make it removable when needed.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Vestil-7...-6-5/302950002

Two questions:

1. 1.How would I drill a hole 2 feet deep and 7 inch diameter into the driveway? Should I be concerns for under ground gas pipes, water pipes? Also, if the cost of the drilling will cost as much as the cost of pouring concrete for half of the driveway, then I will go with demolition and new concrete pouring to put these sleeves in for the bollards. Let me know your thoughts on this.
2. 2.If I buy two of these, how would I secure it to the ground so that no one drive by and steal them, dropping into a truck? Maybe this is where my new hobby (welding) kicks in place?

I know this is not going to stop a moving car completely but what ever helps to absorb the impact is a peace of mind.