Can you use broken concrete as sub-base?

Broken Concrete and Clean Fill Projects

Whether using asphalt or any other type of cement to pave your new driveway, pieces of broken concrete can be implemented as a solid filler while saving you some time, trouble, and money as well.

Can you use old concrete as a base?

Old, unneeded concrete can be recycled and used to create recycled aggregate. In most cases, recycled aggregate will be used as a subbase material, but it can also be paired with virgin materials and reused as an aggregate in new concrete.

Can I use crushed concrete under slab?

Adding crushed stone under your concrete slab will provide a level surface for your foundation. Simply pouring concrete onto the ground will expose it to elemental erosion that will cause cracking and sinking. Similarly, if there are roots or plants under your slab, they may rot and cause unevenness.

What can I use broken concrete for?

Making Walkways or Patios

Large chunks of old concrete work as a substitute for pavers or stones in a patio or walkway. Broken concrete is typically irregularly shaped, so it looks a little like flagstone. Use the concrete pieces as you would use pavers.

Is crushed concrete a good base for concrete?

Crushed concrete laid in layers is the perfect base for creating a raised garden bed. Layering crushed concrete is also a great way to create a retaining wall and control erosion on slopes or hills in your yard. Different sizes of crushed concrete can function together to help prevent erosion.

Crushed Concrete Sub-Base | Reused Concrete Base

What is the best sub base for concrete?

The best sub-base for a concrete slab is gravel. The soil has to be prepped first before the gravel can be laid down; pouring concrete directly onto rock is not considered a best practice. You can use different kinds of gravel for the subbase as long as it is clean and uniform in shape and size.

Can you pour concrete over broken concrete?

You can put new concrete over old concrete. However, unresolved issues with your old concrete, such as cracks or frost heaves, will carry over to your new concrete if not taken care of. In addition, you must pour it at least 2 inches thick.

Can you break up concrete and reuse it?

Fortunately, concrete can be recycled and reused in many ways. Typically (but not always) the process involves crushing or pulverizing the concrete rubble near the demolition or building site. Choosing the best method often depends on the size and shape of the concrete pieces to be recycled.

What can I do with large chunks of concrete?

How do you use rubble concrete?

Concrete rubble can be used exactly like flagstone paving for patios and walkways. Its typically irregular shape can make for a great substitute and provides interesting options for coordinating fill materials between slabs.

Is crushed concrete good for shed base?

In most cases: Gravel is the best shed foundation, especially for portable buildings that come with a wood floor. Concrete is the ideal foundation for a garage or a shed without a pre-built floor.

Can crushed concrete be used as aggregate?

Crushed concrete aggregates also called as recycled concrete aggregates are fragments and pieces of concrete buildings which are demolished or rebuild. These crushed concrete are cleaned from dirt and broken to smaller pieces to manufacture aggregate which is termed as recycled aggregate.

Can you use crusher run for concrete base?

Crusher run is typically used underneath concrete slabs, patios, driveways, sidewalks, and walkways and ranges in sizes from ½” to 4” with stone dust.

Does concrete stick to concrete?

Concrete is made of cement, stone and sand mixed with water. None of those ingredients contain any natural bonding agents. So when wet concrete is poured or applied to existing concrete, the two won't join. Once cured, the new concrete will simply sit on top as a different layer.

Can you reuse a concrete slab?

Old concrete slabs may be reused in several construction projects, depending on the material's size and shape. You may be asking why there's a need to reuse concrete, considering that cement and other construction materials are readily available.

What is broken concrete called?

Recycled Concrete Aggregate (RCA) — also called “crushed concrete” — is made up of asphalt debris from other construction projects that can be reused to create driveways, pathways, garden beds and more.

Can you put a thin layer of concrete over concrete?

Is it okay to pour concrete over existing concrete? Yes, you can put new concrete over old concrete providing there are no issues such as significant cracks of frost heaves with your existing concrete. A new layer of concrete should be about two inches to ensure an even, strong coverage.

How thin can concrete be poured?

Pouring Too Thin

Be sure you never make your slab thinner than four inches for any application. Six inches is the minimum thickness for a concrete slab that may see any kind of heavy vehicle traffic.

How thick should concrete overlay be?

The recommended thickness of a concrete overlay should be between 1 and 2 inches. Some people will even go to ¼ of an inch in thickness, which is still sufficient depending on your needs. If you place a 2-inch overlay, you need a very rough surface on the existing slab. Ensure the surface is rough enough.

Can I pour concrete directly on dirt?

Long story short, yes you can pour concrete over dirt.

What happens if you dont compact sub-base?

Each time a vehicle pulls into a garage and stops, that action creates a plate compactor effect. If the backfill under the slab has not been properly compacted, the structural fill will eventually settle, leaving voids.

Can you pour concrete without gravel?

Yes, you can pour concrete over dirt. If you have a very compact soil-type, such as solid clay, then you may have ground that is solid enough to support a slab over a period of time.