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Essential Elements Checklist For A Quality Asphalt Driveway

Key Takeaways;

  1. First impressions are crucial, which is why it’s essential that you’re always ready to make one.
  2. It’s vital to ensure you choose the suitable material for your driveway and get it installed by a qualified professional. Asphalt is an excellent choice for driveways because it’s affordable, durable, and easy to maintain.
  3. Asphalt driveways have eight essential elements: a solid and durable base, a proper drainage system, quality asphalt paving, seal coating, maintenance, and professional workmanship.
  4. Seal coating should be applied over your asphalt every three years, depending on the severity of exposure to wear and tear from weather and traffic.
  5. Routine maintenance is essential to help keep your asphalt driveway in top condition – this includes regular inspections, cleanings, crack fillings, patching, and weed control.

First impressions are crucial, which is why it’s important that you’re always ready to make one. You could say similar about your commercial or residential property. It reflects who you are, and how it’s kept can tell a lot to visitors or customers. So, it’s essential that you keep it in tip-top shape to make a positive impression.

When it comes to your house or place of business, the driveway is a crucial feature that can impact first impressions. So, it’s essential to make sure you choose the suitable material for your driveway and get it installed by a qualified professional. Asphalt is an excellent choice for driveways because it’s affordable, durable, and easy to maintain. Action Asphalt explains some of the essential elements of a quality asphalt driveway.

6 Essential Elements to Consider For Asphalt Driveways

1. Strong and Durable Base

First and foremost, your asphalt driveway needs a strong and durable base. Base offers strength to the driveway to handle the weight of the vehicles. Without it, the driveway would lose its structural integrity, causing cracks and potholes.

The base should be made of compacted gravel and other materials to create a firm foundation that can hold up the weight of vehicles, foot traffic, and other elements. For a residential driveway, the aggregate base layer should be 6-8″ to support light to medium-duty vehicles.

A professional asphalt contractor will ensure the base is properly prepared before installation.

2. Proper Drainage System

Water is the natural enemy of your asphalt driveway. Water pooling on it can cause cracks, potholes, and other damage. Your driveway needs a proper drainage system to prevent these issues.

One way to achieve this is by installing a drainage channel on the side of the driveway. Another option is to lay down an edge that slopes away from the asphalt, which will help direct water safely away from it. Proper drainage will help extend the life of your asphalt. To ensure water isn’t pooling on your driveway, an adequate slope should be installed where needed, and to incorporate drain inlets into the design. Your contractor will need to calculate the elevation of the pavement and grade for runoff before asphalt paving to prevent water pooling.

3. Quality Asphalt Paving

The quality of the asphalt paving is one of the essential elements when building a driveway. Asphalt should be laid down according to the Uniform Building Code, using hot mix asphalt and two layers of material. The first layer, known as the “base,” made from gravel, should be at least eight inches thick. The second layer, referred to as “binder” or “topcoat,” should be 4-6 inches thick, depending on the type of property driveway you want to get installed. Ensure only experienced professionals are used for your project and that they have access to all necessary tools and equipment for a successful job.

4. Seal Coating

Seal coating is essential in keeping your asphalt driveway in good condition for years to come, even if you don’t use the driveway often. It should be applied over your asphalt every three years, depending on the severity of exposure to wear and tear from weather and traffic. Sealcoat provides a protective layer that can protect against oil spills and water damage.

5. Asphalt Maintenance

Routine maintenance is essential to help keep your asphalt driveway in top condition. Regular inspections should be conducted to determine the overall condition of the asphalt and note any repairs that may need to be made. Also, regular cleanings can help remove debris from the driveway’s surface, which can accumulate over time and gradually wear away at the structure.

By keeping regular maintenance in check, you can prolong your asphalt driveway lifespan and avoid costly repairs.

6. Professional Workmanship

Another crucial element for creating and maintaining a long-lasting asphalt driveway is opting for professional workmanship. Hiring an experienced and professional asphalt contractor will ensure that the project is done right the first time. A quality contractor can expertly construct a durable and strong driveway with proper material, grading, and compaction techniques.

Keeping these essential elements in mind is key to ensuring you get an excellent asphalt driveway that will last for years!

How to Keep Asphalt Maintenance in Check?

When it comes to asphalt maintenance, there are some things you should keep in mind. A good asphalt contractor will ensure your driveway is appropriately inspected and maintained regularly. Here are some essential elements that go into keeping your asphalt driveway in optimal condition:

1. Regular Seal Coating

Seal coating helps preserve the appearance of your asphalt by protecting it from the elements – rain, snow, sleet, and ice. It also prevents oxidation which can lead to cracking or crumbling of the surface over time.

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2. Crack Filling

Cracks can be filled using hot or cold rubberized crack fillers to prevent water infiltration and further damage.

3. Weed Control

Maintaining a weed-free driveway is essential to keep it looking neat and attractive. Weed control can be achieved through chemical treatments or manual weeding.

Related: Dealing With Weed Encroachment On Concrete Sidewalks

4. Patching

Regularly patching your driveway helps maintain its structural integrity and prevents uneven surfaces or potholes from forming in the future. Asphalt patching should be done by a professional contractor with the right tools and materials to do the job correctly.

5. Regular Cleaning

Regularly sweeping away dirt, leaves, and debris helps keep your asphalt driveway in good condition for longer. It also prevents mildew buildup, which can erode the surface and leave it vulnerable to further damage.

Conclusion

By following these simple steps, you can ensure that your asphalt driveway will remain in tip-top shape for many years to come. With proper maintenance and regular inspections, an asphalt driveway can last up to 30 years or more. Suppose you have any questions about asphalt care for your asphalt driveway. In that case, it is best to contact a professional asphalt contractor who can provide advice and assistance.

Professional Asphalt Paving Services in Roseville, CA

Action Asphalt is the company to call for professional asphalt paving services in Roseville, CA. With more than two decades of experience, our team has seen it all in paving. From grading and compaction to the final asphalt layering – we know what needs to be done to get a smooth finish that will last for years. Not only do we use top-notch materials and equipment, but we also offer various maintenance and repair services down the road.

Contact us to get a free quote today.