In the modern world, asphalt is one of the most commonly used materials for driveways. Driveways made from this material are getting more and more expensive as time goes on due to the high demand. Homeowners must get the most value out of their asphalt driveways.
According to asphalt Sydney owner Leanne Diggins, homeowners with asphalt driveways know that these are durable and attractive surfaces. However, their beauty can be overshadowed if they start to sink or crack after only a few years. They need to reinforce their pavements to avoid damage from expansion and contraction, water damage, tree roots, settling, and other issues.
The following guidelines will help you reinforce your asphalt driveway to improve its durability and maintain its attractiveness for years to come.
- Asphalt is a highly durable material that can take a lot of stress. The problem is that it tends to become brittle during cold weather periods. Because of this, it’s advised not to do any heavy-duty work on the asphalt from December through February if possible.Â
- If you need to remove asphalt to patch or resurface your driveway, here are the steps you should follow: make sure all utilities are marked before digging; excavate two feet beyond what’s affected; separate the material you need to remove using a pickaxe; use the pry-bar to break loose the asphalt; and once it’s broken up, shovel out the pieces.
- Asphalt driveways are generally thicker than other types of driveways due to their energy-absorbing characteristics. This is why proper reinforcement is required for projects that involve removing or adding asphalt. The best way to do this is with wire mesh that has been cut into what will be its final shape during installation.
- It’s important to note that the mesh needs holes for it to function properly when reinforcing an asphalt driveway. The optimum size of these holes measures 2 inches by 6 inches (length by height). Be sure not to make them too small because they won’t be as effective.
- When you’re working with asphalt, it’s vital to keep in mind that the material will not bond well to old surfaces. It’s best to remove any oil or grease stains before applying an asphalt patch or resurfacing an existing driveway. This also means that any loose gravel needs to be removed before installation because it will get stuck and become a nuisance while the asphalt patch is being set up (if you’re working on one).
- After properly installing the wire mesh beneath the asphalt surface, it’s time for you to lay down a bed of gravel along with some sand and then compact it all using a plate compactor. If desired, add another layer of gravel on top of this and put down more sand, followed by another layer of gravel. Remember to keep the depth at ¾ inches, and compact everything using a plate compactor before you apply asphalt on top of it all. This is an essential step that should not be omitted.
- There are several kinds of asphalt driveways, with the most common being 2-inch minus (2-mm). Asphalt binders tend to expand when they get hot, so if you decide to use this type for your project, make sure it’s kept cool or shaded during installation so it won’t crack once it dries out. The same goes for other types of asphalt used for driveways such as #4 sub base asphalt and emulsion sealcoat which will also expand once they’re exposed to heat.
- To ensure proper drainage of water, an asphalt driveway should have a slight incline towards the gutter to allow the excess water to flow away from your home’s foundation. It should also be sloped 1/4 inch per foot for water to drain properly when it rains. If you choose not to slope your driveway this way, then you’re taking the risk of flooding which could damage your home and other properties in the future.
- Many things can affect how long an asphalt driveway will remain in good condition, but two factors tend to stand out: climate and traffic patterns (traffic is totally up to you). The best time to sealcoat an asphalt driveway is during warmer months when the sun is beating down on it for several hours a day. If you decide to do this in winter, the asphalt’s ability to expand and contract will be reduced due to colder temperatures; this might result in damage, chipping or peeling which would mean you’d need to re-seal the driveway again (for it to stay in good condition).
