A new asphalt driveway is not only a place where you can park your automobile but also a great investment that improves the appearance of your house, gives the ground a smooth surface, and even raises the value of your land Asphalt Driveway Installation. But asphalt is not a set it and forget it material. Its life span, which may be 20 to 30 years, is all a matter of installation process. Knowing the process that goes into it will make homeowners aware of how to do the job right.

The procedure starts a long way before the first truck of hot mix comes in. The most important part of the installation is site preparation. Contractors begin by digging up the current surface, denuding it of grass, topsoil Asphalt Driveway Installation, and worn pavement. They are usually dug to 8 to 12 inches deep depending on the soil and how much weight load is expected. At this point, proper grading is important; the land should be sloped downwards towards the non-building areas (i.e., the garage and the home) to allow drainage. When water accumulates beneath the asphalt, it will cause cracking, potholes and premature breakdown.

After the site is excavated and graded, a sub-base of crushed aggregate stone is placed down. It is the structure that forms the backbone of the driveway and is normally 6-8 inches thick. It offers stability Asphalt Driveway Installation, helps to stop the asphalt to move due to frost heaves in colder weather, and serves as a resistant against vegetation growth. This rock foundation should be well hammered by use of heavy roller to form a strong and hard basis.

The binder layer is applied with the base compressed. It is a lower grade asphalt which acts as a shock absorber between jagged stone bottom and the smooth top. The binder is rolled and compacted like the base to form a dense, level, binder.

The wearing course or top course is finally installed. This is a coating made of high quality hot mix asphalt (HMA) that is composed of smaller stones (aggregates) and sand, and this is what gives the new driveways the smooth black appearance Asphalt Driveway Installation. The thickness of this layer is usually 1.5 to 2 inches. Right after the hot mix has been distributed with a paving machine, contractors roll over the asphalt using a steel drum roller to compress the still-hot asphalt-between 275 and 300 degrees Fahrenheit. This compaction is important, and unless the asphalt cools before compaction, it will be weak and susceptible to raveling (the surface stone tearing off).

Curing and Maintenance

The asphalt should be allowed to dry after installation. Although it can be generally walked on within 24 hours Asphalt Driveway Installation, heavy vehicles should not be parked on the driveway at least three to five days and in colder weather up to a week. New asphalt is soft and rotating the steering wheel when the vehicle is at rest can leave permanent scuff marks or ruts.

Sealcoating is a good idea to prevent the investment after about 6-12 months. This gives the asphalt time to properly cure and harden and then it is sealed Asphalt Driveway Installation. Sealing on a tri or five year basis after that initial period assists in protecting the surface against UV rays, oil spills and water infiltration.

Finally, a high quality asphalt driveway depends on an adequate excavation, a substantial base of stones, and careful compaction Asphalt Driveway Installation. Although it is tempting to seek the cheapest bid, employing a professional, licensed contractor who adheres to these exact steps will make sure that your driveway will outlast many years of weather and traffic without cracking and crumbling.