Three Central Guidelines for Building a Durable Asphalt Driveway

The installation of an asphalt driveway on residential property is a simple process, in theory. However, some simple mistakes during the building procedure can compromise the strength and longevity of the structure. If the structure fails prematurely, you will need to spend more money and time on repair and resurfacing. Therefore, if you are interested in asphalt driveway construction, you should choose professional contractors for the work. Their expertise will minimise the risk of mistakes that could cause the surface to fail. However, it is also possible to build the structure if you have some experience in the process and the appropriate equipment. Here are simple but crucial guidelines to keep in mind if you would like to prolong the service life of your asphalt driveway.

Build a Strong Base

Asphalt driveways often fail because their foundation is unstable. If the structure is constructed on a base that is susceptible to shifting or too soft to provide support, cracks will appear on the asphalt surface in no time. Therefore, if you are planning on building a new driveway, you should make time for foundation establishment.

Ideally, you should excavate the ground for a deeper and consequently stronger base. It is also advisable to compact the ground thoroughly before building the driveway. Uncompacted soil tends to shift easily. In addition, you should have a granular layer to support the asphalt and avoid moisture compromise.

Plan for Sloping

Asphalt driveways are highly vulnerable to water damage. Therefore, you must ensure that the surface can drain off rainwater efficiently. In general, when asphalt driveways get flooded, the moisture will penetrate through the small cracks that will appear over time in the structure. These cracks are usually harmless. However, if water penetrates, the driveway will experience constant freezing and thawing.

This will promote the widening of the cracks on your driveway. Eventually, the cracks could become large potholes. This problem can be prevented through efficient drainage. In simple terms, if you promote the fast evacuation of water, the asphalt surface will not be damaged. For the best results, build a sloping driveway for better drainage.

Avoid Quick Use

When you build an asphalt driveway on your residential property, you should not be quick to use it. Often, surfaces like these are compromised prematurely because enough time is not given for curing. If you drive on your vulnerable structure, some depressions will appear, and the appearance of the driveway will be compromised. Therefore, avoid using your new asphalt surface until it cures properly. 


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