An asphalted driveway can last up to 40 years. Asphalt is a durable, resistant material and requires little maintenance. It is not a complex operation, but asphalt laying must be done with heavy machinery that most private individuals do not own. You may not be able to pave your driveway yourself, but understanding how the job is done will help you hire the best firm. This article gives you some guidelines.
Steps
Step 1. Find a company to hire for the job
It is important to establish a good relationship with the person who will be paving your property. Ask your friends and family if they can recommend any competent professionals. You need a person who knows what to do and who has all the tools to do it in the best way. Before hiring a company, do some interviews and study the contract well, to be sure that everything you want is mentioned in the document
Step 2. Remove the current driveway flooring
This involves the need to break up existing concrete and collect rubble or gravel
Step 3. Level the slope
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To ensure drainage and prevent the driveway from collapsing or rising, the surface should be leveled so that the water can flow towards the edges or towards the bottom of the lane.
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Run the water from a garden hose from the top of the driveway to understand how the slopes are distributed.
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Make mounds of earth and fill in the lowest points, so as to achieve the right percentage of slope. The difference in height should be 0.6 cm for every 30 cm of length.
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Step 4. Compact the ground
A 1300 kg double roller coaster is the best tool for this type of operation. If the company you have hired does not use this kind of machinery, make sure that it compacts the soil perfectly with other methods
Step 5. Add a layer of crushed stone
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The crushed stone grain that is used is essential to ensure proper drainage. They should be coarse, jagged-edged pebbles.
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If the bottom soil is clayey, you need a layer of crushed stone at least 20 cm thick.
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If the bottom soil is sandy, 10 cm is enough.
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Step 6. Compact the crushed stone into the bottom soil
Step 7. Let it settle for about a week
Many companies skip this step to save on construction times. However, allowing the substrate time to settle will make the driveway more resistant
Step 8. Choose the grain and thickness of the asphalt
- The dimensions of the aggregate, which constitutes the asphalt pavement, vary from 1.27 cm to 1.9 cm.
- The smaller aggregate is used for residential driveways because it has a smoother appearance. A larger aggregate, however, makes the flooring stronger. The thickness should be between 5 and 7, 6 cm.
Step 9. Compact the asphalt with a heavy roller
Step 10. Work the edges of the driveway
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The edges should be leveled at a 45 ° angle.
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Advice
- Consider applying a sealant product for the first 9 months after laying the asphalt.
- If the driveway is completely flat, build a small hill in the center, so that the water flows towards the edges.
- If you plan to park on the driveway of heavy cars or the RV, use a wide aggregate type of asphalt to create a 5cm thick base and then finish the surface with a 2.5cm layer of small-grained asphalt to give a smooth appearance.
