concrete, to mesh or not?

[friendly_prawn]

Im tidying up our house to sell. Im going to put a concrete pad down for parking which is almost non existent at the moment..
I told the concreter we are on a budget and he suggested not using mesh in the concrete pad which will be aprox 35sqm to save money.. He said he will come back and put cuts through it so that it doesn't crack in the future ..

How long will the concrete look good with out mesh in it? What happens if there is no meshing?
Just the possibility of some cracking in the future, which may or may not occur?

Thoughts please guys?

[Orkibi]

Whats the price diff rent with or without mesh?
any council requirements ?

mesh is better long term, if its not big different then go with mesh if you selling now...
if you are planing to hold over 2 years then go with mesh.

if its big different, not required by council and you selling within 12 month then without could work.

[Curious]

Not sure how your parking lot looks now but one of the first things we did after buying our house was removing that silly concrete pad that took up a big chunk of the backyard and replaced it with those diamond concrete-grass pavers. Just as good for parking and made the backyard look bigger and tidier.

[friendly_prawn]

Not sure how your parking lot looks now but one of the first things we did after buying our house was removing that silly concrete pad that took up a big chunk of the backyard and replaced it with those diamond concrete-grass pavers. Just as good for parking and made the backyard look bigger and tidier.

I think diamond grass pavers would be a much better way to go.. But we are way over budget on this dump as it is..
Im looking for the cheapest options..
I should imagine getting some one to lay those pavers would be quite an expensive exercise and I don't have the time to do it myself..
But I do agree, they would look much better as they would give the impression there is lawn area as well as parking..

[Leftette]

Prawn, not putting steel in the concrete, especially one used for parking, is a terrible idea. Yeah, you'll save a few bucks, but the new owner will end up with a mess that'll need replacing at some point. Personally I'd rather do a job properly than some 1/2-arsed cowboy attempt. Especially as you're doing it to make more money on the sale, I'd show a bit more integrity.

[friendly_prawn]

Prawn, not putting steel in the concrete, especially one used for parking, is a terrible idea. Yeah, you'll save a few bucks, but the new owner will end up with a mess that'll need replacing at some point. Personally I'd rather do a job properly than some 1/2-arsed cowboy attempt. Especially as you're doing it to make more money on the sale, I'd show a bit more integrity.

"but the new owner will end up with a mess that'll need replacing at some point"

Are you sure about this? How do you know it will end up in a terrible mess? Isn't it really just a matter of the concrete possibly having some cracking in it some time in the future?

I cant see a 4 inch thick concrete parking pad just crumbling due to no mesh??

But then I admit to not really knowing, hence the reason Im asking..

[Leftette]

It won't crumble, it'll crack (as all concrete does). But instead of the crack being hairline, if the ground moves any it'll grow over time both vertically and laterally. Yes, I'm sure. I've seen it happen.

[heugumper]

Please put in mesh so that it lasts without (bad) cracking. Another option is concrete with fibres (instead of mesh). I have used this for small, premix volumes for jobs like kerbing/edging and it is less labour/easier to pay and costs about the same (self price at Bunnings). Ask concrete merchant on price difference.

Paul.

[Nice]

What are the chances of someone parking a Landcruiser on it versus a Daihatsu Charade ? Or worse, a furniture delivery truck ?

[Wayne]

Drives generally don't have mesh - why should a parking pad?

[lawt]

If it is ONLY used for cars and is minimum 100mm thick and at least 20mpa concrete and the sub grade is sound then you don't need mesh.
In my experience all of those conditions are rarely ever met with domestic driveways.
Personally I wouldn't even consider not using mesh for a concrete drive or parking bay as invariably if a moving truck can use it, it will at some stage.
No matter what your budget, if you are going to do it, do it right.

[lawt]

Drives generally don't have mesh - why should a parking pad?

Because I just spent 5k ripping up and re-laying portions of my driveway as a result of moving trucks etc running over a domestic driveway that was 90mm thick on poor quality sub grade.
There really is NO excuse for rough work. I find the "disguise it for someone else" attitude of many kiwis rather disgusting.

[Eugene]

I agree with the above, not nice to do an el cheapo job that quite likely won't last.
And think of your reputation, and you might meet the purchasers in the future - embarrassing.

[Wayne]

If it is ONLY used for cars and is minimum 100mm thick and at least 20mpa concrete and the sub grade is sound then you don't need mesh.
In my experience all of those conditions are rarely ever met with domestic driveways.
Personally I wouldn't even consider not using mesh for a concrete drive or parking bay as invariably if a moving truck can use it, it will at some stage.
No matter what your budget, if you are going to do it, do it right.

agree - do it right. So trying to use mesh to overcome poor workmanship in the other areas may or may not work. Generally the amount of mesh used (1 layer of 665) isn't enough for load related tensile reinforcement. It will stop or reduce some movement/ shrinkage cracking but do nothing for a big truck.
Get the base right and the concrete will be fine.

[NovInvestor]

mesh is really more for controlling post-cure cracking of concrete.

make sure the concrete is kept moist after pour to ensure the concrete gets enough water so it doesnt crack during curing.

and have frequent concrete cuts to control post cracking.

as long as you keep vehicles away from the pad, you minimise changes of cracking.