An Asphalt Overlay Could Restore Your Old Driveway And Give It A Longer Life

If your asphalt driveway has cracks, holes, and looks faded and worn out, talk to an asphalt paving contractor about having an overlay applied. An overlay can make your driveway look new, but your driveway has to be in good structural shape to have an overlay put on. Here's a look at when an asphalt overlay might be suitable and how an asphalt paving contractor applies it.

An Asphalt Overlay Is A New Thin Layer Of Asphalt

An asphalt overlay is a thin layer of new asphalt the contractor applies on your driveway. It covers the faded asphalt and repairs cracks and holes as it's applied. It can even improve the slope and drainage of the driveway in some cases.

An overlay could be a good choice for driveway repair as long as there aren't serious drainage issues, the base under the driveway is still sound, the damage is minimal, and there are no issues with root heaving.

The Work Starts With Milling The Old Driveway

Milling takes off the very top of your asphalt driveway. It makes the surface rough so the new layer of asphalt bonds well. Milling also takes the top of the driveway down a few inches so when the new asphalt is applied, your driveway is still at its original height. Milling can also remove shallow holes and cracks so you don't have to worry about them showing through the overlay.

The Overlay Creates A New Surface

Once the driveway has been milled, it's ready to have new asphalt applied. The asphalt paving contractor applies the new asphalt over your entire driveway and then the asphalt is left to cure. Weather conditions impact how long that takes, so the contractor lets you know how soon you can use your driveway.

A Sealcoat Is The Final Step

An overlay lasts for several years, and you can help it last as long as possible by putting a sealcoat on periodically. The sealcoat protects the asphalt from UV rays, oil stains, and water. Your asphalt paving contractor will let you know when your driveway will be ready for the sealcoat. It depends on the season of the year since the coating can't be installed in cold weather. You may need to wait a few months before the work can be done.

The original sealcoat should last for a few years, depending on how much traffic your driveway gets. If your driveway starts fading, that's a sign the sealcoat is gone. By applying the sealcoating again, your driveway will have continuous protection and the black coating will keep your driveway an attractive color.