If you're in need of a new driveway, you may be thinking about using asphalt to create a new paved driveway yourself. While this may sound like a good idea initially, once you do some research, you may discover that there are many reasons why this is a bad idea. Read on to discover some of the key reasons why you should leave this job for a driveway paving service.
It's a Lot of Physical Work
Paving a driveway isn't a fast or easy process. It actually requires a lot of physical labor. You have to remove your existing driveway, lay a base or foundation for your new driveway, and then lay and smooth hot asphalt. It's a physically demanding job for a crew of experienced professionals, making it flat-out grueling for those who don't have any experience. Your back, shoulders, arms, and legs may be stiff or sore for days or weeks after installing the new driveway.
You Don't Have the Experience to Select the Right Asphalt Mixture
One of the most common misconceptions about asphalt is that it comes in a bag and you mix it with water, much like concrete. However, this isn't the case. You need to select different types of asphalt materials and binders to create the perfect asphalt mixture based on your climate, the weather when the asphalt surface is being installed, and how much weight will be placed on the surface. A driveway paving service knows how to select the right mixture for your surface, but you likely don't.
You Can Damage Your Home Incorrectly Grading the Driveway
When you are installing any type of driveway, it's important to grade it properly. This helps to ensure that water drains away from your home when it's raining. If your surface is not correctly graded, or angled, it may cause water to drain toward your home or into your yard. This can cause puddling, pooling, flooding, or even damage to your home's foundation or siding.
The Average Person Doesn't Have the Right Tools
You may think that you can save money by paving your driveway yourself. What you may not have considered is that you likely don't have the right tools to complete the job. The tools needed for asphalt installation are used by paving professionals. By the time you buy or rent the tools that you need, you may find that the amount of money you thought you would save by doing it yourself is very minimal. A driveway paving service already has the tools needed to complete the job.
You Can Injure Yourself
One of the biggest dangers associated with working with hot asphalt is burns. Asphalt is over 300 degrees Fahrenheit when it's flexible and pliable, according to the home improvement website HomeDigest. If you get any on your skin, it can burn. It can even burn through regular shoes. Working with or around hot asphalt is extremely dangerous, and this should be one of the biggest factors you should keep in mind if you're considering doing it yourself.
DIY Driveways Don't Last as Long as Professional Ones
Lastly, a driveway paving service has the experience and expertise to help ensure that your driveway will last. You don't have the same expertise, meaning it's far more likely you'll make mistakes that can shorten the lifespan of your surface. Not using the right asphalt mixture, installing the driveway in less-than-ideal weather or temperatures, and not creating the best foundation possible can all lead to issues that shorten the lifespan of your surface or lead to the surface potentially needing extensive repairs in the future.
Now that you know why it's a bad idea to attempt to pave your driveway yourself, you may be looking to hire a driveway paving service to assist you. According to IBISWorld, based on revenue, the paving contractor market size was worth $25 billion as of 2023. This means that you'll have plenty of contractors who can help you with your paving needs, including our team at A-One Asphalt Paving LLC. We are an experienced, licensed, and insured company that can help you with asphalt projects of any size, including driveways. Reach out to us today for a free estimate. We look forward to working with you!