Asphalt Paving Driveway Installation: Homeowner Questions
Asphalt paving a driveway can create one of the most stable and durable surfaces for traveling to and from your home. If you are looking into new asphalt pavement installation on your property, you are bound to have a few questions. Here is a look at just a few of the general questions most property owners have and the answers you should know.
Can you install new asphalt pavement over old, existing pavement?
New pavement can be installed over existing asphalt, even if the existing asphalt is not in the greatest condition. In some cases, the existing asphalt will be broken down into an aggregate-like material before the install to encourage better binding. However, this is not always necessary; if the pavement is not broken down severely, simply adding the new layer may work just fine. It is almost unheard of to completely strip out old asphalt just to install new. The underlying pavement usually acts as a good supportive base and can save a client a substantial amount of money during the installation process.
How thick will a completely new asphalt driveway need to be?
The thickness of the new asphalt paving material can vary depending on a few factors, such as the layout of the ground and the sub-material used beneath the asphalt. For example, on a general asphalt driveway where the subgrade is decent, a contractor may only use two inches of hot-mix asphalt. Thicker asphalt installation may be necessary if the subgrade is not that great or on heavier-traffic driveways.
Do you need gravel beneath the asphalt as the driveway is created?
Gravel does have to be installed before the asphalt is poured. Generally, a limestone aggregate will be installed, and that layer may be several inches thick to provide a stable subsurface for the material. Without the underlying gravel, an asphalt paving job would be a moot point; the pavement would be susceptible to all the changes in ground consistency that occur with the changing environment.
How long will an asphalt driveway last?
The average asphalt drive will last somewhere between 12 and 20 years depending on how well the material is maintained, how much traffic the surface sustains, and even how much precipitation occurs in the area. To get the most years of use from your new driveway, make sure you have it sealed with a protective sealcoating as needed and tend to any signs of damage quickly.
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