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Asphalt driveways look good, providing a strong but neutral foreground for your landscaping and home. Paving your driveway with asphalt is also economical. This driveway material is low maintenance, only needing to be resealed every two or three years. Additionally, asphalt paving is very durable. No wonder it is such a popular choice among homeowners. |
| Asphalt, which is also called blacktop, is basically a form of concrete. Liquid asphalt is a tacky substance that holds stones and sand together to form a top coat for driveways and roads. The fantastic waterproofing qualities of asphalt allow it to be durable, standing up to weather and wear and tear. |
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Gravel Base |
| Your driveway needs to be properly prepared before it is paved with asphalt. In the case of a new driveway the needs to be excavated and graded, then the ground can be compacted in preparation for the gravel base. In order for the final surface to be smooth the substrate needs to be level, solid and even. The gravel base, consisting of crushed angular gravel, should be six to eight inches thick. If you will have large commercial vehicles or heavy traffic you should go with eight inches. The gravel is generally applied in layers of three to four inches, leveled and compacted. |
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Driveway Width |
| The gravel base needs to extend past the width of the asphalt pavement by about six inches. This will give the asphalt strength and support when tires roll over its edges. Finally, the top layer of blacktop, consisting of about two inches, can be installed over the gravel base. Additional blacktop won't add to the strength and longevity to your driveway; the key is really in having the base installed properly. |
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Flexibility |
| Asphalt's flexibility is a strength that allows it to meld to slight variations and changes that will occur beneath the pavement. Without such flexibility, blacktop would crack more easily, as is the case with concrete. |
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Composition |
| Just as with cake not every recipe is the same. Different variations and amounts of liquid asphalt, gravel and sand are suited to each climate or area. Discuss this option with your driveway contractor to understand what asphalt is the most ideal for your home and area. |
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Plan for Future Needs |
| All too often, after just a few short months or years, homeowners realize the need to install a wire or a cable under their driveway for lights or dog fences. We suggest that you plan for this when you do your driveway. Have your driveway contractors lay down one or two strategically placed plastic conduit pipes beneath your driveway. |
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Asphalt Driveway Maintenance |
| You can maintain your paved asphalt driveway easily by regular washing and by sealing it as needed. Note, however, that you should not seal your asphalt driveway after it is freshly installed. Allow it time to cure. After a number of months a hard surface skin will develop. Then, after the first year you can seal the driveway if necessary. Proper sealing should last for two to four years. |
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Professional Driveway Contractors |
| Getting your driveway properly installed from the beginning by pro driveway contractors will ensure a job that lasts and looks good. Compare quotes with several driveway pavers. Talk to our professional driveway installers today! Getting the best asphalt driveway for your money will add property value and curb appeal to your home! |
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