Install Asphalt

A driveway paved with asphalt can last as long as 15 years. Asphalt is durable, resilient and low-maintenance. The process of paving with asphalt is not difficult, but proper asphalt installation requires heavy equipment that most homeowners do not possess. You might not be able to install asphalt by yourself, but understanding the operation will allow you to ensure that your hired contractor is doing it correctly. Use these steps as an installation guide.

Steps

1. Find a contractor.
   • It's important to feel comfortable with the person you hire. Ask your friends and family for recommendations. You want a contractor who will do a thorough job and who has the best equipment. Have discussions with potential contractors before hiring them. Study the contract to confirm everything you wish to be done is spelled out in the document.
2. Remove your current driveway surface.
   • This might include breaking up existing concrete and removing the pieces or collecting loose gravel.
3. Grade your driveway slope.
   • In order to achieve proper drainage and prevent a collapsed or heaved driveway, the surface should be graded so that water runs off to the sides or bottom.
   • Run a hose at the top of your driveway to determine where the water runs.
   • Build mounds and fill in low spots to achieve the proper grade. An optimal slope is 1/4 inch per foot (0.635 cm per 30.48 cm).
4. Compact the base soil.
   • A 3,000-pound (1,361 kg) twin drum roller is the best machinery for compacting soil and other surfaces. If your contractor does not use this type of equipment, it is important to make sure that the soil is properly compacted.
5. Cover the base soil with crushed rock.
   • The type of crushed rock used is crucial to proper drainage. The composition of the rock should be coarse and jagged.
   • If your underlying soil is clay-based, you will need 8 inches (20.32) of crushed rock.
   • If your underlying soil is sandy, you will need 4 inches (10.16 cm) of crushed rock.
6. Pack the crushed rock into the subsoil.
7. Allow this base to settle for approximately 1 week.
   • Many contractors will skip this step due to time. The benefit of allowing the base to settle is a stronger, more naturally settled base.
8. Choose an asphalt size and thickness.
   • The size of the aggregate used to create asphalt pavement ranges from 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch (1.27 cm to 1.9 cm).
   • Smaller aggregate is usually used for residential driveways because it gives a smoother appearance. If the aggregate is larger, however, the pavement is stronger. The best layer thickness is 2 to 3 inches (5.08 to 7.62 cm).
9. Compact the asphalt with a heavy roller.
10. Treat the edges of the driveway.
    • The asphalt should be formed at a 45-degree angle at the edges.

Tips

• Consider applying driveway sealant for the first 9 months after installation of asphalt.
• If your driveway is completely flat build a slight hill in the center of the driveway so water spills to the sides.
• If you are parking heavy trucks or RVs in your driveway, use the larger asphalt aggregate for the bottom 2 inches (5.08 cm) of your layer and the finer aggregate for the top inch (2.54 cm) for a better appearance.

Warnings

• If your subsoil is inferior, new soil will need to be installed before the asphalt paving can continue.

Related Articles

• Clean Asphalt
• Make Asphalt
• Fix a Hole in an Asphalt Driveway
• Seal a Driveway
• Save Money on Pavers

Sources and Citations

• http://www.renovation-headquarters.com/asphaltdriveway.htm
• http://www.familyhandyman.com/DIY-Projects/Saving-Money/Buying-DIY-Supplies/how-to-install-a-durable-asphalt-driveway

See also

• Make Glow in the Dark Stepping Stones
• Install Pavers
• Install Patio Pavers
• Pour a Concrete Foundation
• Build a Concrete Driveway
• Clean Pavers
• Paint an Outdoor Concrete Patio
• Clear Snow and Ice from Pavements and Public Spaces
• Use a Power Washer
• Stamp Concrete

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What links here

• Make Asphalt
• Replace a Flat Roof