Tips To Help You Install A New Asphalt Driveway
Some homeowners attempt to install and pave a new asphalt driveway to improve the quality and value of their property. However, this can be a difficult DIY project that requires some specialized tools and equipment along with the right skillset to get the installation just right, so it is recommended to hire a professional crew for this type of project. Here are some considerations you need to plan for when you are arranging to have a new asphalt driveway installed on your property.
Installation Depth
When an asphalt driveway is installed, it needs to be the right thickness with the right layers of foundation materials to ensure it remains a stable surface. Before your asphalt crew can smooth over a finished asphalt surface, they need to take the time to excavate the existing materials to install the right ones that will provide good drainage along with stability.
The soil in your driveway's site may not offer the drainage you need, so your asphalt paver will remove the soil. They will remove soil that contains too much clay or absorbing materials that are going to hold in moisture, which can lead to expansion, especially in the winter when temperatures fall. They usually remove several inches of soil and replace it with a good drainage sand or angular gravel that they then compact into place. The excavation removes the poor soil and also allows room for installation of an appropriate base material so your asphalt driveway does not have too high of a profile.
Type of Materials Used
There are a few different types of asphalt mix that you can have installed on your paved surface. Depending on the intended use of the finished asphalt, you may want a smoother surface for a residential driveway or a more durable asphalt made of larger aggregate for heavy vehicles and equipment for farm use, for example. Consult with your asphalt professional to find out what types of paving materials are available for your pavement, such as recycled asphalt, porous mixtures, or hot mix patching materials.
Future Maintenance
Once you have installed a new asphalt pavement on your property, you need to keep up on its maintenance to protect it from damage. Damage to the asphalt's surface will erode and destroy the entire pavement's structure if it is allowed to continue. Be sure to patch and fill cracks and holes regularly. Then, follow up with sealcoating protection every three to five years based on the condition of your asphalt.
Contact residential asphalt paving contractors in your area to learn more.