5 Things To Know About Installing A New Asphalt Driveway

If your old asphalt driveway has cracks and potholes, your paving contractor might recommend tearing it out and replacing your driveway rather than trying to repair it. That would save you from putting a lot of money into repairs and then still having to replace the asphalt in a few years. This could happen if the base under the driveway is bad too. Here are five things to know about getting a new asphalt driveway.

1. The Old Asphalt Might Be Recycled

The first step is to bust up the old asphalt and move it to a truck to be hauled away. If there is an asphalt recycling service in your area, your old asphalt might be recycled and used for new driveways and roads rather than being thrown in a landfill to take up space.

2. Effort Is Put Into Building A Base

The longevity of your new asphalt driveway depends a lot on how well the base is constructed. The paving contractor may need to build up a new base and put in new drainage. Drainage is important for a driveway since water that stands on the asphalt can eventually lead to problems with the base underneath. Your contractor has to compact the soil, grade the driveway so water drains off it, and install drains if necessary.

3. Asphalt Isn't Usually Installed In Cold Weather

A lot of factors go into whether the outdoor conditions are suitable for pouring concrete. The temperature of the hot asphalt and how thick the asphalt is poured are two considerations. You might need to postpone the work during the winter season or during the hottest parts of summer depending on the usual temperature ranges your area experiences.

4. Asphalt Might Take Days To Cure

A fresh asphalt driveway might take several months to cure completely. However, it may only take several days for it to cure enough that you can use the driveway for parking. Your paving contractor considers the weather conditions when determining how long you need to stay off of the asphalt. It's important to comply with this so your driveway doesn't develop tire tracks.

5. Seal Coating Is The Final Step

Your paving contractor may talk to you about having a seal coat applied to the asphalt to protect it from the sun and rain. This coating is usually applied after the asphalt has cured, so there may be a delay of several months. You may need to repeat the application every few years for ongoing protection that helps prevent cracks and fading of the asphalt.

For more information on paving, contact a contractor.