Had a contractor here today, hope to talk to another by the weekend.

His initial advice is to wait "several" weeks to see if the concrete pads sink down to the level they were before the big freeze this winter. Even though things are thawing above ground, he's certain that there's still thick frost under the surface. Until it defrosts, it's too early to do anything at this point.

Best case is that the pads go back to their previous level. Then I'd just get the ashpalt apron patched. I'm not that lucky. But if that can happen, I could still enter/exit with a patched but unchanged incline. It'd be no better or worse than before this happened and I can use the Mustang.

He gave me a worst case that involves very big bucks, but we talked about the possibility of just removing 3 pads, but taper the level of new concrete about an inch lower so it gives me wiggle room going in and out, then repatch the apron and feathering the break where it meets the new concrete.

I'm figuring a minimum of 2 months before I can drive my Mustang beyond my garage and driveway, assuming that the concrete is replaced after a sufficient wait time for a thaw.

Looks like my personal winter won't end until mid-May at the earliest.

Ask me if I'm bummed out.

 

I had the same scenario happen to me to some extent. I was faced with a dip I'm my driveway to exit into the street. Long story short: I could get in with no problems but exiting was a leap of faith.

I ended up literally throwing down a piece of doubled up cardboard from some appliance every time I exited. No joke.

The opposite neighbor would hoot and holler with laughter.

I didn't care because I really didn't like him. He was always letting his dog poop in my yard but I didn't have the proof. I'm pretty sure he stole my knockout rosebush too.

 

Was your knockout rose bush planted?!?!?


Wtf!

 

Ummm...my exact thoughts, a hole would mark the spot?

 

Yes it was planted but it was cut down to the very base. The stems were cut at an angle also. Might as well have just dug it up and called it a day.

 

I couldn't take it anymore....I had to blow out some carbon. I took the Mustang out on a short 20 mile run.

I found a sweet spot on the extreme left side of the apron over the sidewalk pads where I could enter without scraping my splitter. Out of 6 tries, 4 were successful. But it has to be exactly in a certain spot....no room for error. I gritted my teeth on every practice attempt. Did a little more damage to the splitter but I knew already that I'd have to replace it. The bumper cover is fine.

Weird though....I have to go painfully slow as expected, and if I enter in 2nd gear I don't scrape. Not so in 1st gear. That doesn't make sense so it must be just a coincidence.

A contractor just left, signed contract in hand. I'm getting the bare minimum done...2 10' sections of concrete pads, tapered in the middle, essentially centered at the middle of the driveway. Just enough so I can use the Mustang without worry. The apron will be repaired, but not removed and re-done....just hot patched in the low spots. The offending problem is the raised concrete.

Work should start the first week of April.

 

Best of luck with it. Be glad he can start so fast.

 

Best of luck Tom.
Hopefully they can take care of it soon.

 

The contractor stopped by yesterday to check on things. He originally told me that I could drive on it by this Sunday. But it was drying so well he pushed that ahead to today, advising me that once the concrete turns white, it's hard. Well, this morning it was off-white. Close enough. I had to know.

Pulled 'er in/out at different angles.....no scraping. You can see from the pics that I have about 2" of clearance to the splitter. The front tires are on the lowest point of the apron, so it's all uphill (then level) from there.

I had the Mustang lowered last year shortly after I got it and have no plans for any additional dropping. Rolling stock stays the same too, so the Mustang's attitude will remain unchanged. Until I move from here, I can't consider a larger splitter. I can live with that.

 

Glad you can get her out Tom!!!

 

Thanks. I'm more relieved than anything. Too bad it couldn't have been yesterday when it was 60 and sunny. I woulda had the top down. Raining today, but at least I took it for a spin around town this morning.

 

YAY another mustang released from the clutches of the driveway!!

 

Looks like he did a nice job. Now will it last through next winter??

 

Shush.

 

That's a good lookin apron

 

That's awesome Tom.
Glad it worked out well for you.