Do you want to replace your deteriorating driveway with a new one made out of asphalt? If so, you'll likely want to know what to expect when the paving process starts.

Preparation

Your key to ensuring that your driveway lasts a long time starts with the preparation. Your asphalt paving contractor will have to excavate and grade the soil underneath your driveway so that it is ready for water drainage. Water needs to run away from your home or garage to prevent water from pooling up against these structures. The water also must be able to drain away from the asphalt surface instead of pooling on top of it. 

All of the gravel and rocks need to be removed where the asphalt will be placed as well. If you step on the surface and it moves under your feet, then it needs to be fixed. This type of loose material cannot be used as a solid base for asphalt. Ideally, limestone or recycled concrete should be placed on the surface to stabilize the subgrade. A roller should be used to compact the surface prior to placing any asphalt. 

Installation

A proper asphalt driveway installation is not done by hand, but with an asphalt paving machine. This allows the asphalt to be placed at a consistent depth to create a smooth finish to the surface. If there are parts of the driveway that you cannot get the equipment into, then the asphalt will need to be installed by hand in those places. 

All asphalt that comes out of a paving machine will not be compacted. Compaction will need to take place soon after it is on the surface while it is still hot. Asphalt that becomes too cool before compaction takes place will not be compacted enough as a result. You'll end up with asphalt that deteriorates quickly since water will be able to penetrate the surface, which significantly shortens the material's lifespan. 

Sealing

Adding a sealcoat to your asphalt is a great way to finish the job since it is going to protect the surface from all of the liquids that can spill from your vehicle. Oils in particular are bad for asphalt since they cause the material to break down easily. Once the surface is cleaned and prepped, the sealcoat is brushed onto the surface, where it must remain untouched for a couple of days for the sealcoat to completely cure.

For more information, contact a local company, like EnviroSealers LLC.