Four Key Things To Know Before Having Your Driveway Paved
Posted on: 28 April 2023
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The good news about having your driveway paved is that you, as the homeowner, won't really need to do very much. Almost all of the hard work will be done by the paving contractors. However, it is still a good idea to know a little about asphalt paving so you can understand what they are doing as they work. The following are four good things to know before having your driveway paved in asphalt.
Asphalt should be poured in good weather.
Unlike some home projects that can be done at practically any time of year, asphalt paving really should be done in the summer or early fall when the weather is warm and dry. You don't want rain to fall on the asphalt before it has cured. You also do not want it to be too cool out, as this may cause the asphalt to harden too quickly, compromising its strength. Keep this in mind when scheduling your driveway paving project.
There are a few different kinds of asphalt.
Your asphalt contractor will likely look over your land, talk to you about your concerns, and then recommend the type of asphalt that is right for you. One common choice is porous asphalt, which is designed to drain so it does not develop puddles. Another common type is perpetual asphalt, which is designed to be hard-wearing and works well on driveways where you park heavier equipment like trucks and campers.
Asphalt needs to be sealcoated after it is poured.
Your asphalt paving contractor will likely tell you that they need to come back in a year or so in order to sealcoat their driveway. This means applying a special, water-resistant coating that protects the asphalt. This cannot be done until the asphalt has cured for a while, which is why it's not done during the initial installation appointments.
Most asphalt is made with some recycled materials.
You might think of asphalt as being not very green since it contains petroleum products. However, it tends to be more sustainable than you think. Asphalt is usually made with some recycled materials, such as oils left over from other projects.
Now that you know a little more about asphalt and asphalt paving, you should be ready to have your driveway paved. Don't hesitate to talk to your paving contractor about this information. You can also ask them any questions you might have about paving.