If you’re considering a new driveway, you may wonder how laying asphalt works. The process of asphalt paving is quite simple, but there are a few things that homeowners should know before hiring a contractor. Let’s look at how to lay asphalt and answer some common questions about the process. We’ll also provide tips for homeowners who are considering paving their driveway.
Asphalt Paving: The Process
Consider the Foundation
The foundation of your driveway project matters! The first step in proper asphalt installation is to consider the soil or foundation of the area. When paving a driveway, the ground is called the “subgrade.”
Contractors may first remove an existing driveway of old asphalt or concrete so they can start with a clean slate instead of an old surface! Existing driveways don’t create the solid foundation your contractor needs for the sub-base mixtures.
Your asphalt driveway can withstand more wear and tear with a stable foundation! An excellent contractor will check your soil for suitability before installing your driveway.
Grading the Surface
Next step, your paving contractor will prepare the surface by grading the area. The contractor will use a machine called a grader to “level the existing surface and remove any obstacles, such as rocks or roots.” (1)
Grading is crucial when you install asphalt. For appropriate water drainage, the installation process must grade the area to let water run off.
Spreading the Sub Base
Once your contractor grades the area, they will spread a layer of gravel-type aggregate over the ground. This sub-base layer provides a stable base for the asphalt.
In some cases, you may need additional layers of gravel layer to enable proper drainage from your asphalt driveway. Water will not be the friend of your new asphalt surface!
The gravel is a mixture of small pieces of stone. However, in the coastal areas of South Carolina, contractors may use a limestone aggregate.
The sub-base layer is crucial to a sturdy and long-lasting new asphalt pavement project, as it helps to create a frost barrier. However, the aggregate material must not contain any “vegetative matter, sand, lumps or balls of clay, or other deleterious materials that may reduce the strength of the base course.” (1)
After spreading the gravel, the contractor will use a machine called a roller to compact the stone. This step is essential because it ensures the ground is level and smooth before the binder layer goes on. It also helps to prevent any future cracks in the asphalt pavement.
How to Lay Asphalt
Next, the contractor will heat the asphalt to about 300 degrees Fahrenheit. The fresh asphalt hot mix is then poured onto the gravel and spread evenly by a team of rake workers.
Another option is for your contractor to use a machine called a screed. A screed works by leveling the hot mix as it lands. The screed helps control the amount of material extruded so that it lands evenly on the ground.
Compacting the Binder Layer
Once the team spreads the new asphalt, they will use a compactor machine to compact asphalt until it is level. This step to lay asphalt is essential because it helps to bind the gravel and the new hot mix asphalt together.
Laying the Surface Asphalt
Depending on your project, more layers will go on top of the binder layer until your driveway has a thickness of 3 inches of asphalt! Now that you have the supportive surfaces a new asphalt surface needs, your contractor team lays the top layer of fresh surface asphalt.
Surface asphalt is a smoother mixture of aggregate, sand, and oil, creating a smooth, firm surface that is blacker and deeper than the previous layers. This surface asphalt layer creates that jet-black smooth finish you want in an asphalt project!
Proper compaction makes your new asphalt pavement smooth with a deep, dark, finished look.
Equipment Contractors Use Laying Asphalt
Some of the equipment contractors use to lay asphalt include:
- Rakes: to spread the new hot mix asphalt
- Screed: to level the new asphalt as it lands
- Compactor: to compact the binder and top asphalt layers
- Roller: to compact the sub-base layer
Asphalt Paving Timeline
The entire process of installing asphalt pavement usually takes one or two days to complete. However, it is essential to note that the new pavement will not be ready for use immediately.
After the compactor has finished its work, the asphalt should be left to cool for 24 hours before use. During this curing process, it is important not to park on your new asphalt driveway. You should also avoid washing your new asphalt driveway or using harsh chemicals on it.
The final step is to seal the driveway with a layer of tar or sealant within the first 3 months after installation. The sealant protects the pavement from weather damage and makes it last longer.
Tips for Homeowners Considering a New Asphalt Pavement Driveway
If you’re considering having your driveway paved, you should keep a few things in mind. First, choosing a reputable contractor with asphalt experience is crucial.
Choosing your contractor well can help “minimize the potential for material segregation (physical separation of the larger aggregates and smaller aggregates)” of the hot asphalt mixture. If this scenario happens, your jet-black asphalt will soon sport cracks and fissures!
An experienced contractor will also “ensure adequate compaction equipment is available to meet the project specifications while achieving a smooth finish.” (1)
It’s also essential to ensure that the area is free of obstacles. If there are trees or large roots in the site, you will need to remove them before the paving can begin.
If you have any questions about paving your driveway, we suggest consulting with a professional asphalt contractor in your area.
We Can Help
At AMP Paving, we put extra effort into installing a new asphalt residential driveway! We use commercial-grade materials and the latest paving technology to deliver a high-quality product.
Our team has experience in all aspects of asphalt installation, from site preparation to final compaction. We also offer a wide range of other services, such as sealcoating, line striping, and ADA-compliant signage!
If you’re thinking about having a new driveway installed, we can help! Contact us today for a free quote.