Whether you've bought a new home that needs a driveway or already have a driveway that has been worn down over the years, investing in asphalt driveway paving is an excellent choice. Before you get started with installation, you may be curious about what the process entails. Keep reading to learn about the nine steps of asphalt driveway paving for your home.
1. Getting an Estimate
Before you hire a driveway paving service, you'll want to carefully consider the costs so you can effectively create a budget. A good rule of thumb is to approach at least three companies for estimates and compare the prices and services they offer. Keep in mind that the cheapest option is not always the best option, as they may not offer all the services their competitors offer. To ensure you're getting the best service possible, start by asking each company for references or testimonials. A service provider with happy clients is a sure bet. Additionally, if the company proudly displays a gallery of its work on its website, you can be confident you're working with qualified professionals.
2. Preparing the Surface
Paving likely won't start immediately, as your company will want to ensure the surface allows for a quality paving job. If you want to pave an untouched area or a gravel driveway, the paving company will first have to prepare it. This will mean gravel or other obstacles will be removed to create a smooth, even surface that is ideal for paving. If you already have a paved driveway that you want to have repaved, your driveway paving service will bring in machinery to clear the old material to make way for a fresh layer of asphalt. As the old paving is cleared, it will be cleaned up and removed from your property. Once this process is finished, all that will be left is a dirt surface in front of your home. Now the real work can begin!
3. Grading
Even if your last driveway was graded, your company will likely need to perform further grading work, as it may have been altered during the removal of the previous driveway paving. Proper grading is essential to keeping your driveway and your home protected from water damage. A properly graded driveway will allow water to run off into drainage instead of accumulating in pools on your property. According to This Old House, it's crucial to make sure your driveway is never at a grade steeper than 15 feet per 100 feet of distance. Our experts will make sure your driveway is graded to perfection!
4. Installing a Sub-Base
A strong, properly installed sub-base is essential for your driveway. This layer consists of an aggregate of gravel or other sediment that provides a foundation for your asphalt driveway paving. Not only does it provide support for your asphalt driveway, but it also prevents the erosion of the soil underneath.
A sub-base also acts as a barrier against frost heave during cold winters. Frost heave involves the bulging and warping of paving as water seeps into the asphalt and expands when it is frozen as ice. If the problem is bad enough, it could result in the erosion of your driveway. However, a strong sub-base and regular sealing can protect against this hazard.
5. Pouring the Asphalt
At this point, your asphalt driveway paving is ready to be poured! As you observe our professionals at work, you'll be glad you relied on our services. Working with hot asphalt is challenging and laborious, but our pros make it look easy! The result will leave you with beautiful, smooth asphalt driveway paving.
Just like the sub-base, the asphalt itself is made of an aggregate of stone, gravel, and sand. These materials are mixed with a black tar-like substance called bitumen, which holds everything together. This blend creates a strong, durable surface that can last for years.
6. Creating Transitions
No asphalt driveway paving is complete without integration into existing roads and sidewalks. Joints will create a smooth transition between your new paving and the existing paving surrounding it. Without this important work, your driveway wouldn't have the curb appeal it would otherwise provide your home. An expertly installed curb will also create a smooth transition from the road to your driveway as you leave and arrive back at your home each day. Small details like this transition are easy to take for granted but are essential to any driveway paving installation. You'll be glad you hired experts who know how to include these essential features!
7. Adding Finishing Touches
Once all the major work is complete, your driveway paving service will strengthen the newly paved surface by compacting it. This will involve going over the surface with heavy equipment to ensure no aggregate material is poking through, leaving you with a smooth driveway. A properly compacted driveway will have additional stability so it doesn't quickly get deformed during its lifetime. This step is another reason why this work should be left to the pros. To properly compact a driveway, a large asphalt roller is typically used to apply the proper weight. Without this machinery, you'd be left with a hand roller, which will take much more time and may even leave you with an improperly compacted driveway!
8. Letting Your Driveway Dry
It can be tempting to park on your new asphalt driveway paving as soon as the professionals have left, but you'll want to give it time to dry. According to Bob Vila, an online home improvement resource, you'll be able to use your asphalt driveway about two days after it's finished. This is one of the advantages of asphalt paving, as concrete paving can take up to an entire week to dry, according to Bob Vila! If you use your driveway too early, you could end up damaging the hard work that has been done, meaning you'll have to call the professionals again to fix the problem. To prevent this issue, it may be a good move to section off the area with rope or traffic cones. That way, visitors will not mistakenly damage your driveway by parking on it.
9. Staying on Top of Maintenance
Finally, in the months and years ahead, you'll want to be aware of maintaining your driveway to give it the longest life possible. Regularly sealing the driveway paving and filling potholes will ensure that you can enjoy it for years to come. It would be wise to turn to the experts for this kind of maintenance, as they will make sure the job is done right every time. If you fail to properly maintain your asphalt driveway, it could end up failing much sooner than you wished. This could mean paying for another repaving to undo all the damage to your driveway. You should act quickly, especially in the winter when frost can severely damage your driveway via cracks and potholes that are not properly addressed. Now that you're armed with the knowledge of the process involved in driveway paving, you may be ready to get started with a quality service. You've come to the right place! A-One Asphalt Paving LLC is a licensed, bonded, and insured business that has more than 27 years of experience serving the area. Give us a call today to get started with a free estimate.