Preparation And Installation Tips For A New Asphalt Pavement
Paving a new asphalt driveway requires preparation to the area and can also require excavation of existing soil. Excavating services with a professional asphalt crew know the proper placement and installation of a good solid asphalt foundation. Here are some preparation tips and installation recommendations to help you prepare for your new asphalt paved driveway.
Inspect the Site
Before you can begin to properly install a pavement surface, you will need to look at the existing soil in the area to find out its condition. There are many types of soils, and not all of them are appropriate for an asphalt base. Asphalt as a surface layer needs a strong base that will not shift, expand, or erode through the various weather conditions that the area experiences. So it is important that you or your paving professional look at the soil on the site to find out what type of soil it is.
When you find any poor soil in the site that is either too soft, expansive, or poorly-draining, it will need to be excavated from the area so it can be filled in with a material that will provide the best drainage and foundation qualities. Plan to excavate and remove several inches of existing materials and replace it with a foundation of compacted and crushed gravel, good drainage soil or sand, or a combination of them. If, for example, you leave the existing soil in place and lay asphalt over it, the soil can hold in moisture and in the winter will expand and heave upward, causing an unlevel pavement that is higher and has formed cracks over the surface as a result.
Plan the Layout
The layout of your driveway is also important for its function and how well it provides you the surface you need for your vehicles. If the driveway is going to be on a slope, the slope will naturally provide the surface drainage for the driveway. Otherwise, make sure the driveway's sides slope off from a central point that has a slight rise to provide drainage, without being an unlevel surface.
Also look at any existing trees, boulders, or other types of natural materials you want to keep in place when you install the pavement, You can excavate the area to work around the natural obstructions and install a winding driveway that also has visual appeal. Excavating around the obstructions will provide the depth to install the necessary layers for the base and have a long-lasting pavement.
