Things to Know about Driveway Installation

Things to Know about Driveway Installation

As the entryway into your home, your driveway makes a statement. It’s condition, quality, size, and shape will all contribute to your home’s curb appeal, so it’s important to understand the main principles of driveway installation before you begin. Whether you’re building a new house or renovating your existing residence, never underestimate the power of the driveway.

Find a Reputable Contractor

The asphalt industry is frequently invaded by scam salesmen who use cheap materials to start projects they quickly abandon after receiving deposits from unsuspecting homeowners. Be sure to select an asphalt contractor who has legitimate customer testimonials and a strong reputation in your community. As long as you can rely upon the company you hire, the rest will take care of itself.

Make a Thick, Compacted Base

A driveway is more than just the black asphalt on top. It begins with four to eight inches of granular fill that assists with drainage. As long as this base is thick and well compacted, rain and snow will drain away rather than threatening damage. It’s also important that this base is designed with enough slope to ensure water rolls away rather than gathering in pools and puddles.

Ensure Proper 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, but other blends use coarser 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 coarser 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 that this occurs before the asphalt cools, or else the compaction won’t occur efficiently and the driveway will remain weak with a shorter lifespan.