FAQ

How to Blacktop a Driveway

The proper method of paving a driveway for the longest life is a two-stage process. Lay down a layer of binder asphalt first and then a top coat. Your asphalt …

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Can I asphalt my driveway myself?

The process of paving with asphalt is not difficult, but proper asphalt installation requires heavy equipment that most homeowners do not possess. You might not be able to install asphalt by yourself, but understanding the operation will allow you to ensure that your hired contractor is doing it correctly.

How expensive is black top driveway?

Type of Driveway Material Cost Per Square Foot

Driveway Material Cost Per Square Foot Estimate
Asphalt/Blacktop$7 – $13
Gravel$1 – $3
Chip Seal$2 – $5
Heated$12 – $21

Can you lay your own blacktop?

Making your own asphalt driveway is hard work, and not a job for one person. If you have friends who will help you, it is possible to save a lot of money by doing your own driveway, even after the cost of rental equipment is factored in.

How do you lay a blacktop driveway?

The Complete 7-Step Process for Asphalt Pavement Installation

  1. Step 1: Demolition and Removal. …
  2. Step 2: Grading and Sloping. …
  3. Step 3: Prepare the Sub Base. …
  4. Step 4: Proof Roll, Undercutting and Sub Base Repair. …
  5. Step 5: Binder and Surface Course. …
  6. Step 6: Install New Asphalt Surface. …
  7. Step 7: Butt Joints and Transitions.

Can you blacktop over gravel?

An inexpensive method for paving a driveway consists of gravel or crushed rock over a graded, packed dirt bed. If you already have a gravel driveway and want to pave over it, the least expensive option is adding a hot-asphalt seal-coat layer over the surface of the gravel, followed by a layer of crushed rock.

Is blacktop the same as asphalt?

Blacktop is heated to approximately 150 degrees celsius, whereas asphalt is only heated to 120 degrees celsius. Asphalt is has a higher bitumen content and for that reason is less porous and more resilient to wear and tear from high traffic and thus is the preferred choice for major highways.

Is 2.5 inches of asphalt enough for a driveway?

Residential driveways typically use 2 to 3 inches of asphalt with 3 being suitable for occasional large trucks or heavy equipment. Underneath the asphalt you should have 6 to 8 inches of granular base aggregate. Underneath this you have soil.

How do I pave my own driveway?

What goes down before asphalt?

Can you put asphalt over dirt?

Asphalt. Asphalt is still one of the more common driveway overlays, even over dirt. While it usually requires professional installation, it provides a durable, level driveway surface, even on grades. Unlike gravel or RAP, it cannot be laid directly to dirt surfaces.

What is the best base for asphalt driveway?

crushed angular gravel

Strong blacktop driveways are typically built using crushed angular gravel as a base. This gravel needs to be a minimum of 6 inches thick for light vehicle traffic such as cars and pickup trucks.

How long should a driveway sit before paving?

In general, a driveway should settle for six months before paving. This recommended time span will vary according to soil and weather conditions, and proper compaction can allow you to pave far sooner.

Should a new asphalt driveway be smooth?

Fresh asphalt is never perfectly smooth, and as long as the driveway has been appropriately compacted by a professional asphalt paving company, any areas of rough texture should not be a major concern.

How much does a ton of asphalt cover?

Asphalt cost per ton One ton of asphalt covers 30 to 80 square feet. A 2-car driveway needs 7.5 to 18 tons of asphalt, depending on the thickness.

Why do they put sand on new asphalt?

Adding silica sand or boiler slag to pavement sealer can improve the sealcoat. A mix consistency that keeps the aggregate suspended in the mix tank helps to ensure uniform distribution of aggregate throughout the seal coating job, says Geoff Crenson.

What is Type 7 blacktop?

Type 7 asphalt contains fine stone and dust which has a very smooth finish. Type 6 asphalt contains slightly larger stone, so it provides more strength but is not quite as smooth as Type 7. Once Sealcoated it is difficult to distinguish the difference in the textures.

Which is better crushed concrete or crushed asphalt?

If cost is a major factor for you, then a crushed concrete driveway is the better choice. However, crushed asphalt definitely won the visual appeal factor. Moreover, it’s quite possibly the most durable material that might fit your driveway best.

What are the different grades of blacktop?

There are three different grades available in asphalt. The grades available are I-2, also known as base; I-5, known as top ;and the I-4 or commercial top grades. The difference in the tree grades are that the I-2 or base consists of ¾ inches of stone. The base grade is generally used in corn stabilizing level.

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