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Any asphalt experts here?
asop
Member Posts: 8,977 ✭✭✭✭
Planning to have our rather big driveway and parking areas resurfaced this spring. So do I ask for 1 1/2" or 2" or what to be removed and replaced? Then I want a finished surfaced to be "SMOOTH" without the small aggregate stone being exposed. What do I ask for please?? Thanks
Comments
I have always had two inches of compacted surface mix. never had anything show thru and have actually capped/ resurfaced, my driveway using this method. There is also a base mix that you can put down first and then the surface mix on top of that but this shouldn't be necessary if you are just resurfacing. If you are capping your driveway make sure the current asphalt is clean and their is even a bonding agent they can use. Worked a lot of RR Xings on the NS myself and with several asphalt contractors
Remove old asphalt. Install 2 inches of new.
I am looking at asphalt also for my driveway and parking area.
It is gravel and dirt. Is it better to gravel the whole thing or can it go right on dirt?
There will be just pickup and car travel on it.
Must have a compacted gravel base. Use crusher run gravel for base.
On a recent house build for relatives, the contractor used layers of 3 grades of gravel. 2", then 3/4" & then crusher run, compacting each as he went. THEN, the paver dug it all out to put in his own base.
When you say "removed and replaced", what do you mean? Is the existing surface dirt, rock or is it existing asphalt that will need to be cold milled?
I never did like crusher run, too much dirt/crushed rock in it. NS used it in RR X-ings and then did away with it because of the mud and mess that came with it later, seeped out into tie cribs and turned into mud. Small clean gravel compacted, asphalt base coat compacted and then 2" surface mix compacted makes a good driveway.
When we re-paved our driveway. They tore up all of the old asphalt put down more gravel base where needed and then did two 2” layers, first being an aggregate then a finish layer.
This was more expensive but it has lasted 25 years.
Make sure you specify you want class 5 as a base, the jokers we got put down ground up asphalt as a base and they do not harden up by the edges and my tires would sink in. After the class 5 they put a layer down and wait a couple of weeks for that to harden and then they put a finish layer on. I don't know the thickness, was just a going by cost on my driveway.
Poor compaction of the base, water, and trucks are the bain of asphalt pavement. Make sure the base is well compacted and crowned so water runs off instead of puddling.
The base is great. (good clay) & then 3" of 3" crushed limestone and on top off that 3" of grade 8 (fines to 3/4" crushed limestone). Had 3" of asphalt put on about 20 years ago! Can 't complain but just uncertain of specting the redo! Thanks
How often do you all top-coat your asphalt driveways??
Had mine done 3 years ago and it seems to be still looking good. My brother made the mistake of having his done with a topping and a fine stone or grit over the top. The stone did not compress into the top-coating and made for a heck of a mess of the stuff getting blown onto his lawn doing driveway sweeping\clean-ups\snow removal!