How long before paving driveway

This process involves undercutting the sub base, but instead of removing all of the soft clay and soil, it is instead mixed with added aggregate to improve the strength of the compromised areas.

Step 5: Binder and Surface Course Once the sub base is laid and any soft areas are identified and repaired, it is time to add the binder. The binder layer is large aggregate mixed with oil, making it very strong and durable.

The binder layer can be thought of as the strength of any new asphalt surface. Step 6: Install New Asphalt Surface Once the supportive structures of a new asphalt surface are installed, the top layer of fresh asphalt is added to provide a clean, smooth ride. Surface asphalt is made up of small aggregate, sand, and oil. This combination of materials creates jet-black asphalt that, when installed appropriately, provides a smooth ride and a shiny, attractive finished surface.

Step 7: Butt Joints and Transitions It is very rare to install an asphalt surface that does not connect to existing driveways, roadways or parking lots. Butt joints are areas where old asphalt or concrete meets new asphalt pavement. These transitional areas require special attention to ensure that the grading and water run-off is appropriate.

To Complete the Project: Final Roll Once the asphalt and butt joints have been laid, the entire surface is smoothed and compacted. Using a roller truck, the new asphalt pavement surface is compacted and smoothed. This process step ensures that no small bumps of aggregate or stone are left poking through the smooth new surface. Heavy rainfall causes the oil in asphalt to separate from its cement binders and aggregate, leading to weak material prone to chipping, cracking, and potholes. In severe cases, rain might cause crumbling potholes to form as soon as the asphalt is installed, and might make the asphalt too runny to compact and then set properly.

If you live in an area prone to lots of rainfall, you might rely on an asphalt paving contractor for a new driveway installation rather than trying to tackle this project yourself.

An asphalt paving company can evaluate weather conditions and know if your new driveway installation should be delayed due to rain, high humidity levels, and the like. Now that you know how long to allow a driveway to settle before paving and the steps needed to prepare a driveway for new asphalt, you might wonder how you protect that investment! Asphalt might last anywhere from 7 to 30 years, but the way you maintain it affects its lifespan, either ensuring it lasts as long as possible or causing undue stress and premature breakdown.

One vital tip for protecting fresh asphalt is sealing it as often as needed; your asphalt paving contractor can note how often you should schedule sealant for your new asphalt.

Sealant provides an added layer of protection against weather, heavy rainfall, and other such damage. Motor oil and other automotive fluids as well as corrosive chemicals such as fertilizer and snow salt also damage asphalt binders, leading to chips, cracks, spalling, and potholes. Concrete still remains a favorite paving material for residential properties but there are many reasons why homeowners are choosing asphalt for driveways more than ever!

For homeowners on a budget and especially for properties with longer driveways, asphalt is definitely a more affordable choice. Compact Round 3. Optional staining or sealing at this time. If you choose not to seal, you are ready to use the surface. If you DO SEAL, follow all the necessary steps, to ensure it dries properly and you find out how long before you can drive on the pavers. Many people get some form of paver system installed as their driveway for several reasons: The main one is that pavers can be permeable.

A non-permeable driveway, such as an asphalt or resin surface is usually graded and sloped with drainage in mind. If you live somewhere that gets a lot of rain, pavers are a great choice.

Due to them being permeable, the water will drain through, extending the life of the driveway significantly since there is never any standing water on it.

What is the design pattern? Are you looking for a driveway to help with water run-off? Is there an HOA? If you live in a colder climate you can add a heating system to thaw snow and ice.

The crew will also do hand work in tight spots. Once the paving machine is finished, a roller and other equipment will smooth and compact the hot asphalt. The crew gets a real workout during this process. We welcome our customers to watch the paving process from a safe distance. We will put up warning tape to alert visitors and vendors to keep vehicles off the driveway. Count on your neighbors coming over to check it out and ask a lot of questions, too.