Asphalt paving projects are a hit or miss. If your driveway is paved with high-quality asphalt, your home appears to be significantly better and enhances your home’s curb appeal. However, if you or your contractor fail to install it correctly, you will run into issues later. Since Asphalt paving projects are complex, there are high chances of mistakes being made. People who are unaware of its technicalities often make major blunders that result in a damaged driveway.
Hence, we bring you some helpful tips to avoid making typical paving mistakes.
Tip# 1 Do Project Planning
It is of critical importance that you plan for your asphalt project. This entails having precise measurements and comprehension of how asphalt functions because if you don’t you run the risk of ruining your driveway. Know what you’re getting into as asphalt is the most durable material to work with.
Careful planning includes being aware of the installation and preservation of asphalt paving as well as ensuring that all appropriate tools and equipment are in place. Many people often make the mistake of not doing proper planning before they embark on the paving journey which results in disasters.
Therefore, always spend a sufficient amount of time on the task and don’t try to rush through. Moreover, the weather conditions need to be perfect so you should consider that too when planning. And, if you’re not a pro at installing asphalt, you might want to contact a professional asphalt contractor.
Tip# 2 Choose the Right Quality Materials
There are many different kinds of asphalt paving materials available varying in quality, even though you might not be aware of them. While we all want to save money wherever possible, you might not want to buy cheaper materials to cut costs.
This is because when low-grade quality asphalt is used, the results are frequently subpar and lower than usual. Instead, you should buy asphalt of high quality to make sure your surface is smooth and free of flaws. The asphalt of higher quality is more resistant to wear and tear and harsh weather conditions.
Tip# 3 Do not Rush the Process
Avoid working on the project in haste. Remember asphalt paving is not a race. There will be issues later on if you apply the asphalt too quickly. The depth and thickness of the asphalt are crucial. You might crack or your drive might not heal quickly enough.
It’s best to take your time with it because if you don’t there is a possibility that you will not be able to adhere to the correct procedure. You likewise need to install the asphalt at a similar speed the whole time.
If the speed keeps fluctuating in different areas it shall affect the uniformity of the paving. Hence, make sure speed limiters are used by any asphalt contractor you choose to guarantee a clean and consistent application of your asphalt.
Tip #4 Select the Right Contractor
You need to choose a profoundly qualified and trustworthy asphalt contractor. There are numerous asphalt companies to choose from, but not all of them are the same. Because details matter, especially when it comes to paving, you would want one that has good experience.
The contractor you choose should be able to strategize well for the project, have the right materials, and consider the climate. While you don’t have to go with the most expensive contractor, you don’t want to go with the cheapest either. It’s important to stick to your budget, but don’t just base your decision on price.
Additionally, you should look for a contractor who is proficient in the use of high-quality equipment. When you plan your asphalt paving project, keep these suggestions in mind. When you’re done, you’ll have smooth, high-quality asphalt.
Tip #5 Remember the Grade of the Drive
Whether you are dealing with a driveway or something different, grading is practically significant. The grading of your entire paving project is probably the most crucial component. It is a procedure used to guarantee an even foundation while building your driveway and is usually done when building a road, your home’s lawn or other property.
The whole site needs to be levelled, properly pitched to allow for water runoff, cut or filled, and graded in order to prepare for installing an asphalt driveway or parking lot.If the driveway’s slope is not laid properly, chances are water could accumulate eventually destroying the asphalt. And, if your asphalt drive does not have the right drainage, it is doomed for good.
Tip#6 Manage the Material Head
For proper asphalt installation, the material head must be precisely controlled. The head of the material is the mass of paving material in front of the screed that reaches the entire width of it. In simple words, it’s the paving mix in the pavers hopper which can also be referred to material exiting a material transfer truck. 95 to 98% of all mat faults are the result of paving using the wrong head of material.
Because, It is incredibly challenging to create a smooth surface when the amount of mix in the head of the material varies significantly during paving it becomes essential to manage the material head. A higher head of material results in a thicker mat and can produce wavy surfaces, whereas a lower head of material results in a thinner mat and can cause asphalt breakdown.
Hence, the ideal choice is to use a material transfer truck to help maintain a constant head of material. Compared to trucks, material transfer vehicles can maintain a constant flow while avoiding pavers and driving forward continuously. Asphalt behind the screed will be more consistent if the head of material is travelling through the machine uniformly and with little variation. These measures restrict paver speed variations, temperature problems, and segregation.
Tip#7 Use Asphalt Sealant Appropriately
In order to keep ice and water from entering and affecting the quality of your driveway or parking lot and causing cracks, never forget to sealcoat the Asphalt. Because asphalt deteriorates with time due to rain, oil, and other pollutants, leaving a brittle surface that is dangerous and ugly, sealcoating becomes a must especially if you’re paving yourself. So, always make sure to use the correct sealant in the right quantity if you want your driveways to have a long life.
Moreover, when it comes to sealing a driveway, timing is crucial because doing it too soon after the asphalt has been installed or right before it rains can result in an early replacement of the pavement. Therefore, homeowners should prepare ahead of time and make sure it will be sunny for the three days after the application, whether they are sealing a freshly laid driveway for the first time or reapplying the sealant.
Conclusion
All in all, the bottom line is it takes a lot of skill, training, and experience to install and maintain asphalt pavement. Hiring a professional is the only way to get effective results. The aforementioned suggestions can help homeowners who insist on doing their installations and maintenance in avoiding some of the most serious errors, but no amount of tips and techniques can compensate for a lack of knowledge.
Prime Asphalt is the professional you need when it comes to asphalt paving. Contact them to bring that life back into your residential or commercial property with practical paving techniques and premium-quality machinery.
