Tips on Asphalt Driveway Paving

By: Guest Author

A good looking driveway highlights a good looking home, though a driveway can serve many other purposes. If the driveway has been well maintained it can even provide a great place for children to play basketball or learn to ride a bike. A poorly laid or maintained driveway, however, can be as dangerous as it is costly. It’s important that you have a professional crew install your asphalt driveway paving in MA and that you stay on top of the maintenance.

Installation

The first step towards an amazing driveway is a good design. The base of the driveway needs to be smooth, firm, and even when placed. There should not be any organic material such as clay present in the base at all. On top of the base there should be several inches of compacted granular aggregate. The asphalt should be placed on top of the aggregate and should be at least two inches thick. Cracks in the asphalt can occur if drainage doesn’t occur so the layout needs to ensure that water will not only drain away from the buildings but also off the driveway. There should be a slope from crown to edge of at least a quarter of an inch per foot. The type of asphalt that should be used varies depending on the climate. Asphalt used in colder climates will differ from that used in hot climates, so be sure that the asphalt mix is appropriate for your area. Finally, the contractor that you choose should be reputable and be able to cite references if requested.

Maintenance

Maintenance on an asphalt driveway is pretty simple and doesn’t even need to be completed too often. With that said, never forget to check for cracks and puddles of water on a fairly regular basis. If you miss one small crack and let it sit for too long it could turn into a large and costly issue in the future. The first step is to seal your driveway after the asphalt has been given time to dry. Most contractors will do this for you but be sure to clarify that before you hire them. After the initial seal you will want to check for cracks and immediately fill them as they come up.

A crack could let moisture into the base which can cause serious problems. Depending on the size of the crack, you will either use a filler or a cold patch. Always clean out the crack and remove all debris before you fill it up. Next you will want to look for any areas where water gathers rather than draining off of the driveway. These depressed areas can be filled with a patching material to make it level with the surrounding area. Once either of these tasks has been completed, you should apply a seal coating. Even if you haven’t made any repairs to the driveway, the entire surface should be seal coated every few years. Make sure the patch or filler has dried completely first. Asphalt driveway paving in MA that has been installed properly and been well maintained should last you a very long time.