11 Simple Steps To Help With Asphalt Driveway Installation

DEFINITION OF ASPHALT

This is a mass of sand and stone, with an aided and calculated amount of asphalt. Solid asphalt is afterward inflamed with a very high temperature of about 600 Fahrenheit in order to liquefy it. Asphalt, itself and afterward, is used for engineering, refers to a mixture of dark bituminous peach, with gravel or sand, used for surfacing roads, flooring and roofing houses and buildings.

Due to its nature, the engineers who want to work with it will have to do it quickly before it becomes solid. Now take a look at what all goes into asphalt driveway installation.

You may be pondering installing an asphalt driveway on your property because it is durable and better suited for winter conditions, but you do not know whether or not you will be able to pull it off. Not only is an asphalt driveway strong, but it is also cost-effective, and in this guide, we will show you 11 simple steps to follow to ensure that your asphalt driveway installation process is seamless.

After going through this guide you should be armed with all the details you need to have your new driveway asphalt installed in no time at all without any hassles.

Here is a quick peek at what you are going to take away from this concise guide that takes you through all the specifics.

Table Of Contents:

Let’s take a look at each of these steps in more detail.

Step 1: Find the best contractors and materials for the job

Firstly, if one’s area in which he or she strives needs high-quality materials to be added before the installation of an asphalt driveway, then this will be added to the bill of the contract, and it will also be shown on the bill the exact size needed prior to the laying down of the asphalt materials.

Asphalt driveway installation is not a quick DIY project and you need some professionals to help you get that perfect driveway you are going for. There are many contractors out there who claim that they can get the job done when the truth of the matter is that their work is substandard.

The first step you need to take is to source the best contractors for the job who comes complete with expertise and positive
reviews from other clients. If you are going to do install the driveway yourself, you need to find contractors who will give you high-quality materials. You can consider checking out places where businesses are listed.

Step 2: Consider the asphalt driveway installation cost

Also, it is important to consider the cost for changing equipment which is damaged or used up and any unexpected problem along the way, like places which machines cannot reach, where human workers will have to replace it, the cost for paying the workers in that case and on it underestimated costs that need to be balanced by the addition of cash.

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As with most things, one of the fundamental things you need to consider after your decision to get that driveway is the cost. You do not want to end up being frustrated by some unnecessary expenses, and you need to have a good estimate of how much you are looking at spending. The cost of an asphalt driveway installation relies on many factors, and it is rare to find a one-size-fits-all price. You need to
survey your property or get a contractor to do it, to get a quote that is based on your specific requirements and unique needs. Your installation costs will be made up of components like;

    • bringing the contractor to your property or transporting the materials yourself to your property
    • the amount of preparation required before installation
    • the materials required to complete the project
    • the installation and extras that may be required;
    • the contactor’s desired profit margin if you are not doing it yourself
    • After getting cost quotes for materials and labor from 2 or 3 reliable contractors, you can then choose one and get to work together.

Step 3: Choose the correct season

Once you know which contractor you are going to use, and how much they are charging you for the job or materials, the next step is deciding when you are going to undertake your asphalt driveway installation. While some people often miss this crucial step, you should not. It is highly advisable to install an asphalt driveway during the warmer seasons i.e. summer and spring. The higher temperatures are ideal for asphalt work because it allows for more time to work with the materials.

In cold weather, you or the people working on your driveway have less time to smooth out the asphalt properly. It dries up way faster, and instead of a smooth finish, you may end up with a driveway that is not that good-looking. Plan for your asphalt driveway installation such that it falls in line with the warmer seasons.

Step 4: Plan your drainage

This step may not be the first, but it is definitely the most important because if done incorrectly it may mean having to rip out your whole new driveway and starting all over again. We cannot stress enough how important it is to plan your drainage before starting any installation work. Poor drainage planning may result in water pooling up in the wrong places of your driveway. Water flowing in the wrong direction like towards your property and not away from it. It is crucial for you or your contractor to grade your driveway carefully in order to avoid damage resulting from poor drainage.

Step 5: Prepare the surface

Grading the driveway surface for proper drainage is the one part of surface preparation before the actual asphalt driveway installation, and the other part involves grading to ensure that the asphalt driveway has a sturdy surface to sit on. Proper surface grading and preparation ensures that your driveway lasts for a long time. It is an important step before the asphalt laying procedure.

Step 6: Select the best base for asphalt driveway

Your choice of base plays an important role in determining how strong your overall driveway is. A driveway that will last is built on a granular base that has the correct size. Although base materials vary, the best base for asphalt driveways is usually either crushed stone or conbit. These bases are both crushed granular materials that bind well and create a robust foundation. The thickness of your base depends on the type of soil you have, with a recommended 4 in. over sandy soils with good drainage, and 8 in. over more compact clay soils.

Once you have determined your soils and appropriate thickness, you can install the base, then wait for a time that usually ranges from a few days to a couple of weeks before installing the asphalt, depending on the type of soil.

11 Easy Steps to the Perfect Asphalt Driveway Installation | Willies asphalt driveway installation

It is good to know that the most suitable foundation for an asphalt driveway should be a bulky and compressed foundation. Having a grain like a form in order for it to be able to support the weight of the asphalt materials used in making the driveway without collapsing. For one to have the best results for an asphalt driveway base, one will need the following;

  • An aggregate foundation about two to three inches diameter made of quality materials. Which are strong enough to support the driveway.
  • A coarse mixture of asphalt for a bottom layer that is two inches in its width.
  • High-grade asphalt cement for laying.
  • A grading machine for leveling the floor and an excavator for clearing away the upper layers of the ground which contains an old road surface.
  • Trucks to bring construction materials.
  • Rolling machines to flatten the soil and distribute the asphalt materials equally.

Step 7: Determine your asphalt driveway thickness and width

The thickness of the asphalt installed relies on the soil type. On average, the thickness of the asphalt ranges from 2 to 3 in giving your total asphalt driveway thickness a range of 6 to 11 in. The actual asphalt laying procedure involves pouring and rolling out the asphalt with a heavy roller. Ideally, after installing the asphalt, there is a week’s wait for the driveway to set and come together in a process known
as compaction.

When it comes to width, make sure your driveway is wide enough for you to drive without straddling the edges. As these may ruin your tires.

Step 8: Finish off the edges

Speaking of edges, it is worthwhile to leave some soil to dress up the edges once the asphalt driveway installation is complete. This gives your driveway a neat finish and to avoid those uneven jagged edges.

Step 9: Merge your driveway with the rest of your property

Be sure to speak to your contractor about how you are going to bring the rest of your property together with your new driveway. Your driveway plan should include a plan for a smooth transition from your driveway to your garage. Also the sidewalks and the rest of the house without any bumps and glitches.

Step 10: Give your new driveway some TLC

Avoid any heavy machinery or vehicles on your new asphalt driveway. This may weaken it before compaction is complete and lead to damage. Avoid oil and fuel spills, and take care to exercise caution on your driveway. In extreme weather conditions i.e. when it is very hot or when it snows. If you give your driveway some Tender Loving Care, you are well on your way to many beautiful years together.

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Step 11: A quick tip

You have probably heard about recycled asphalt driveways. The last step of this guide is a quick heads up in case you are considering a recycled driveway. You may be excited by the prospect of having a substantially inexpensive driveway. The general consensus out there is to steer clear of recycled asphalt driveways. Not only is the recycled asphalt bound to have some other materials that are not asphalt. Recycled asphalt driveways are also prone to potholes. They will result in high costs should you ever decide to change your driveway in the future.

So there you have it. You are now ready to get underway with your asphalt driveway installation.

 

Conclusion

In conclusion, the laying out and creation of asphalt driveways require a lot of consideration and planning. Before you can go into it each factor needs to be put into thought and planned.  That helps achieve the best results from the asphalt materials used. Even from the labor force, you half put into it.

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