Installing An Asphalt Driveway

10 Steps To A Professionally Installed Asphalt Driveway That Will Last A Lifetime

Locating Contractors and Gathering Estimates

Probably the most mundane part of the process of installing a new asphalt driveway is searching for and contacting asphalt paving companies and the laborious, complex process of scheduling to meet with each contractor individually to obtain estimates.

At this early stage, what makes this process difficult is that we know it’s a gamble of which companies perform residential asphalt paving and those that don’t, which companies we can trust to get the job done right, and when or if they’ll even respond.

So, oftentimes, we call more companies than we need to and end up with either too little or too many companies to choose from.

One great benefit of finding this article is that we offer two very helpful resources to make this part of the process as simple as possible.

1. You can find and connect with up to three local asphalt paving companies, for FREE, that are certified pros in residential asphalt driveway installation simply by filling out a request from our Find An Asphalt Pro form!
2. It’s virtually impossible to have three companies in our database, in every area around the country that meet our strict qualifications to be listed as one of our trusted experts. In this rare case, you may need to find one or two additional local contractors from other resources to obtain three estimates.
   
   To assist even further, we can provide you with a FREE downloadable step-by-step Estimate Request Checklist that has a list of questions that can be printed out and used while meeting with each asphalt company.
   
   All the questions are designed to help you obtain estimates that you can compare apples to apples. Meaning, each asphalt contractor will answer the same exact questions, giving you a clear understanding of their asphalt installation process, and allowing you to greatly reduce or even eliminate the back-and-forth emails, text messages, and phone calls for clarifications.
   
   Both of these steps make contacting companies and gathering estimates much simpler and far more enjoyable.

Comparing Estimates

This is where using our estimate request checklist really helps with the process.

When comparing estimates, it’s virtually impossible to compare estimates apples to apples when each company has its own estimating process, and the right questions aren’t asked Otherwise you’ll find that you’ll have to call, text, or email each company multiple times to get in a position to be able to compare quotes equally.

In the process of comparing each estimate, there are a few items that you’ll need to pay the closest attention to which we cover in the rest of this article.

1. Removal Of Existing Asphalt or Concrete Driveway.
2. Subgrade Preparation.
3. Drainage Planning.
4. The thickness of asphalt which is an essential part of the asphalt pavement installation process.
5. Weed inhibitor.
6. Compaction of the asphalt.

Choosing The Right Contractor

This is the most imperative part of the process and it may seem to be unnecessary for me to mention it, but it is where most people make the biggest mistake. I help people from all over the country who end up with an asphalt driveway that becomes problematic for years to come and it always comes down to this step.

Now I can’t and would never tell you who to choose, but I can tell you a few things I would look for when choosing a company.

1. Was the company pleasant when asking them questions? Were they irritated when asking them questions from the Estimate Request Checklist or were they accommodating and happy to answer? After all, the installation of your asphalt driveway is one of the biggest exterior investments you can make on the outside of your home. You have every right to ask questions.
2. Did they try to pressure you into making a quick decision with a discount “while they’re in the area”?
3. Are they a member of the BBB or an AllAboutDriveways.com Asphalt Pro?
4. Do they have negative reviews online and how did they respond to them?
5. Is their price considerably lower than the others? Why?

These are just a few examples of the things I look for in companies.

Another way I like to help homeowners is by performing an estimate review consultation. You gather your estimates, send them to me, schedule a call and we’ll go over your estimates together.

The bottom line, choosing the right contractor for your job is critical to getting an asphalt driveway that will last.

Now that we’ve covered finding, comparing quotes, and selecting a residential asphalt contractor, let’s cover the steps in installing the asphalt driveway.

Removal Of Existing Asphalt, Concrete, or Pavers

If you have an existing asphalt, concrete, or paver driveway, or a recycled asphalt driveway that has hardened over time, there are two important things I want to mention.

In some cases, an existing asphalt driveway can be “overlayed” or a new layer added to the top of the existing asphalt. But if the driveway has drainage problems, has a lot of cracks and/or alligatoring, and has humps and bumps (which could be a sign of poor subgrade conditions, then the driveway should be completely removed and replaced.

Some companies can mill the existing asphalt driveway and use the ground-up asphalt as a good base material, which can save money and help make the new asphalt driveway solid.

Often times I find that some contractors would rather sell you an overlay simply because its easier to get in, get out, and get paid fast when the driveway REALLY should be removed and replaced. I cover asphalt driveway overlays in another article I wrote. It’s definitely worth reading if you want to either save money or see if the contractor is being truthful.

A recycled asphalt driveway MUST be removed just as if it were an existing asphalt driveway in order to be installed properly. If not, any cracks in the recycled asphalt will reflect through the new asphalt and before you know it, you will have a problematic asphalt driveway.

Concrete should NEVER be overlayed with asphalt.

Removing existing asphalt, concrete, or pavers.

Existing asphalt and concrete are typically hauled to the asphalt plant or a nearby recycling plant. They are then crushed and recycled with some of it being used for recycled asphalt driveways or recycled concrete driveways or used as an excellent subbase material.

Concrete has controlled joints and a very defined edge. An asphalt driveway would have to be wider than the concrete driveway in order to hide the edges of the concrete, but the new asphalt will crack along those edges and anywhere there is a control joint.

Don’t let a contractor talk you into overlaying concrete. It does not work.

As a matter of fact, most asphalt manufacturers have mix designs that use up to 15% of recycled asphalt in their new hot mix as a way to create less waste and be more environmentally friendly.

Excavation, Subgrade Preparation, and Water Drainage Planning

The next step in the asphalt driveway installation process is the excavating, subgrade, or subbase preparation along with water drainage planning.

Once you’ve determined that your driveway cannot be overlayed, the next step is excavating the soil and installing a base material. An asphalt driveway is only as good as the soil it’s installed on.

Excavation & Subgrade Preparation

It’s important to understand that not every driveway has to have excavation and base material installed. It’s all dependent upon the condition of the existing soil. If the existing soil is too soft, then the driveway should be excavated equal to the depth of the base being installed plus the depth of asphalt being laid.

If the previous driveway had a base previously installed, there’s a chance the new driveway may not need it.

Something I have always done for my customers is this. I quote their driveway as if we are excavating and installing base material, but I make the base a line item with that cost separated out. Then, if the new asphalt driveway doesn’t need a base, we simply take that out of the final total. But if it does, then at least you’re prepared for the total cost rather than being surprised in the end.

Drainage Planning

Water drainage planning is an extremely critical step that should always be discussed. I’ve never ever given an estimate on a driveway that there wasn’t a discussion about water drainage planning. Even in the mountains of Colorado where you’d think it wouldn’t be a concern.

Great water drainage planning always starts at the subgrade level. Just like the strength of an asphalt driveway is as good as the subgrade, it’s being laid on, the drainage is only as good as the preparation and planning of where the water will drain.

If drainage is not planned carefully, this will be a thorn in your side for years to come.

Transitions

When excavating the soil next to the garage, sidewalks, and street, careful planning of these transitions is needed to ensure the water drains properly off of or onto these areas once the asphalt has been installed and compacted.

Subgrade Repairs or “de-mucking”

During the base installation, it’s not uncommon to run into a soft spot that needs extra attention and must be repaired before installing the asphalt. This is called de mucking. The soft spot is dug out, removed, and replaced with the base material in compacted layers.

Take a look closely at the fine print in the proposals you obtain. Since there is absolutely no way of knowing of these soft spots before the project begins, companies will often charge additionally for de-mucking.

Fine Grading & Compaction

Fine grading and compacting the driveway right before laying the asphalt is the meticulous part of the subgrade preparation.

This is what the asphalt mat will be directly laid on, and a “template” so to speak, shows where and how thick the asphalt will be installed. So this is where final minor drainage adjustments are made and the soil is compacted with the asphalt rollers.

Understand, the better the subgrade prep, the better the new asphalt driveway will look.

I’ve seen driveways where asphalt companies invested little or no time into prepping the subgrade and I’ve also seen driveways where the subgrade prep was planned and executed meticulously.

There’s no comparison.

It makes a huge difference in the final results.

But keep in mind, the more an asphalt driveway contractor invests in the subbase preparation, the more likely the final cost will increase.

Applying Weed Inhibitor

Nobody wants weeds growing up through their new asphalt driveway. As the owner of All About Driveways, I’ve had many homeowners contact me as one of the most common complaints.

However, weed inhibitor is not a requirement for all new asphalt driveways. Particularly where there has been a good amount of road base installed (6″ inches to 12″ inches).

We use a granular weed inhibitor cast out onto the final compacted base just before paving. This granular herbicide is heat activated and doesn’t leach into the surrounding vegetation.

Weed inhibitor is a great “insurance policy” to minimize weeds growing up through the new pavement.

Installing The Asphalt

Installing the asphalt is obviously the most important part of the installation process. Not only when it comes to the overall aesthetics of the asphalt driveway but more importantly because the asphalt driveway thickness is where dishonest contractors can really increase their profits. I highly encourage you to take a few minutes and read that post before you begin gathering estimates for your new asphalt driveway.

Installing Base Layer

The base course, also referred to as the binder course, is the first layer of the asphalt mat that’s installed. The purpose of the base course is to provide a strong, durable foundation for the driveway as well as to set the precedence for water drainage allowing for any minor adjustments.

The base course can also help to work out imperfections in the subgrade, which then will aid in the top coat, or top layer being much smoother.

The base course is typically a 3/4″ inch asphalt mix design using larger stones or aggregates for more strength. It’s also typically thicker than the top layer.

Installing Top Layer

The top layer, often referred to as the surface course or top coat, is typically a 1/2″ inch asphalt mix design using smaller stones or aggregates and more “fines” in the mix to make a much smoother surface layer. This top layer is also typically installed 1 1/2″ to 2″ thick after compaction.

Installing The Asphalt In 1 Lift

Often you might find companies that install asphalt driveways in one lift, or one layer. These driveways are typically 2″ inches to 3″ thick after compaction. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with this provided the base or subgrade is naturally durable or has been installed properly. Again, and I can’t stress this enough, an asphalt driveway is only as good as the soil it’s installed on.

Compaction and Finish Rolling

The compaction of the asphalt is done with heavy rollers while the asphalt is still hot. The goal is to carefully knead the asphalt without causing the asphalt to crack.

When doing the initial compaction, oftentimes minor waves are created as the roller goes back and forth on the asphalt. In this case, the rolling of the asphalt with a smaller vibratory asphalt roller performs the finish rolling to compact these waves out of the mat.

The edges of the asphalt should also be addressed by either compacting them, installing a strong shoulder next to them, or both. We cover this important detail about asphalt edges in another article.

Conclusion

Installing an asphalt driveway and ensuring a beautiful end result that will long endure traffic and use and last a lifetime is an art. Patience and due diligence in the process of finding a great asphalt paving company to install your new asphalt driveway in the very beginning will make the entire process go much smoother. In the end, you’ll be glad you invested the time in finding the right asphalt driveway pro!