Four Things to Know About Driveway Installation
Four Things to Know About Driveway Installation
Your driveway is just as important to the appearance of your house as any interior decoration. It’s true that your driveway quality, size, shape, and overall condition greatly contribute to your home’s curb appeal. This is why you should make sure you understand the main principles of driveway installation before you begin any renovation or new construction.
Find Professional Help You Can Trust
Scam salesmen favor the asphalt industry because it’s all too easy to trick unsuspecting homeowners. Scam contractors often use cheap materials to start projects that they quickly abandon after receiving deposits. The best way to avoid this is to carefully look over any asphalt contractor’s reviews and work portfolio before agreeing to any terms.
Make a Thick, Compacted Base
The visual component of your driveway is the black asphalt or sturdy concrete, but the entire thing is much more than its surface. It actually begins with four to eight inches of granular fill for steady drainage. As long as this base is thick and compacted, rain and snow will drain away rather than threatening damage your property. It’s also important that this base is designed with enough slope to ensure water rolls away rather than gathering in pools and puddles.
Measure Precise Asphalt Levels
Once the base is in place, a two-inch layer of asphalt must be spread over everything. Some asphalt blends use finer aggregate that provides a smoother finish, while other blends use coarse aggregate mixes that have a rougher finish but are stronger. If your driveway will endure heavy use from large trucks, tractors, or RVs, consider using the coarse aggregate mix for durability.
Make It Compact
Once everything is in place, your contractor will compact the asphalt and base with heavy rollers. It’s important this occurs before the asphalt cools, or else the compaction won’t occur efficiently and the driveway will remain weak with a shorter lifespan.
You aren’t a driveway expert, and you don’t have to be! Jireh Construction offers every service you need to install a new driveway, renovate your existing one, and maintain its appearance over time. Whether you want fresh black asphalt or attractive concrete bricks, the experts at Jireh will bring your vision to life. Call (425) 678-3632 for your free quote today.