Asphalt Driveway

What Characteristics Does a Good Asphalt Driveway have?

When it comes to having a good asphalt driveway, there are a few things to keep in mind. These are some of the most important points:

• a solid foundation
  
• enough drainage
  
• the right materials
  
• sound building practices
  
• regular maintenance

A Solid Foundation

Preparing the adequate foundation for an asphalt driveway includes having a solid subgrade and building a strong aggregate base.

A problem seen often is subgrade that is not properly stabilized. In Georgia, this is typically due to soggy, we clay and it needs to be removed and a solid stone base laid down. 

The size and depth of the rock foundation also makes a difference. The rock needs to be just big enough to sink into the subgrade, which stabilizes the ground underneath.

Adequate Drainage

Another critical point to consider is proper drainage. Water can cause problems to develop if the drainage is not sufficient.

Water needs to be drained away from the pavement. That means that there needs to be enough slope on the pavement as well as the edges to ensure the water drains away from the asphalt base.

Having adequate drainage will ensure your asphalt driveway will last for years .  The gravel base we eluded to earlier plays a critical role in adequate drainage as well.

Water does not need to gather in low places on or around the asphalt surface.

The right material for the job

It's critical to utilize the proper asphalt mix. The driveway paving contractor may receive "the-mix-of-the-day" from the local hot mix plant unless they possess their own hot mix facility. It's possible that this material isn't suitable for driveways. Driveways can become fragile as a result of oxidation and weathering. One of the storage bins at some mixing plants is set aside for private mix projects.

Different people have different ideas on what makes the ideal driveway mix. Driveway mixtures, on the whole, should have more asphalt binder and fewer air spaces than highway mixes. Where opinions diverge is in the aggregate structure.

Many experts recommend a finer gradation in driveway surface mix than highway mix. This results in a smoother, finer surface texture. Many prefer a stone-on-stone contact mix with good angular aggregate (sometimes called aggregate interlock).

The gradation chosen is determined on the load and intended appearance. More water will be lost and the appearance will be more uniform with finer gradings. Stony mixes can support higher loads and necessitate deeper placement depths for compactibility. On drives that will be carrying a heaver load, it is best to use a 2-inch compacted binder course (with larger top-size stone) since it can withstand heavier loads.

Sound building practices

To ensure your asphalt driveway will last it's intende life, it is important that your asphalt contractor use good workmanship.  Several factors include:

• Compacting the surface correctly
• Compacting the edges and joints in the asphalt driveway
• The seams need to be very tight
• Use the appropriate binding agent to prevent the surface course from slipping.
• Avoid segregation of the mix as it can lead to pavement failure and potholes

Maintenance of asphalt driveways

Most asphalt experts agree that the quality of the paving project is the most important factor in driveway performance, notably choosing the right mix for the job and attaining good compaction. Maintenance, on the other hand, is crucial.

Taking care of the drainage features and crack-sealing are two recommended maintenance measures. Overall, pavement sealing is a personal preference and wear-and-tear issue.

Water is a pavement's worst enemy. It is critical to ensure that drainage is properly installed during construction, but it is also critical to ensure that drainage continues to function. Water has the potential to soften the subgrade and/or erode the pavement.

Crack-sealing is an important aspect of driveway pavement maintenance. If cracks are not sealed, water and foreign material can penetrate the pavement and cause damage. Some property owners dislike the look of sealed fissures.

Sealing the driveway can be used to protect the pavement as well as for aesthetic benefits. Spills can be avoided with fuel-resistant, polymer-modified asphalt sealers. Sealing stony mixes or pavements with open textures is beneficial.

Following the guidelines outlined above and always selecting a top-notch professional, like Woodstock Asphalt Paving & Sealcoating to complete the work will result in long-lasting, attractive asphalt driveways.