Facts and Fun: Pavement Edition

Posted on: 7 July 2023

Asphalt works great for many residential projects, including patios and driveways. If you plan to set up new asphalt by yourself, review the following installation practices before starting.

Grade the Slope Appropriately 

When it rains around your new asphalt surface, you want the water flowing off instead of collecting. If water did start to pool, then it will eventually break down the asphalt and lead to a repair. Grading the slope, fortunately, is pretty straightforward.

You just need to see how water flows after you grade the area where you plan to put new asphalt. Use a water hose and spray the setup location. You can then build up areas that need more or less slope for proper water drainage. 

Compact the Soil

Once you've achieved the proper slope where water can't collect, you're ready to compact the soil. Compaction is paramount to keep soil stable so that your asphalt surfaces aren't prone to future complications. 

The best tool for soil compaction is a drum roller, a machine that puts out a lot of force to compact soil quickly. You can rent one out for as long as you want and even hire an operator if you feel uncomfortable using it around your property.

Add Crushed Rocks Over the Soil

Before you add new asphalt around your property, it's a good idea to add a layer of crushed rocks first. These rocks help with water drainage and give the new asphalt a solid foundation, letting it hold up much longer than it otherwise would. Just make sure the rock layers are even so that your new asphalt comes out looking great after it has time to dry. 

Decide How Thick the Asphalt Surface Should Be 

Before installing new asphalt, you need to figure out how thick the asphalt surface will be. Each residential project is different in terms of asphalt thickness. It depends on what the surface gets used for and how much you can afford to spend on asphalt.

For instance, if you plan to use asphalt to create a new driveway, then you need a thicker surface to account for the weight of vehicles. Whereas if you plan to use asphalt for a walkway and don't have a large budget, thinner asphalt surfaces are better. 

If you're interested in setting up new asphalt around your property, such as for a custom patio, take as much time as you need to plan installation. Meticulous research and planning help you develop optimal asphalt structures that hold up. For more information, contact a company like Azzarelli Paving & Site Development.