Two of the most common driveway surfaces in the USA are blacktop and concrete. Concrete is often considered to be more durable than asphalt or blacktop. As such, it often carries a higher price tag. If you don't want to spend the extra money, knowing how to take care of blacktop is essential.
To create a smooth finished surface with durability, certain types of asphalt paving materials should be considered for the best results. Following up with asphalt sealer at the right time further protects pavement.
A top-notch asphalt paving job requires attention to certain conditions like drainage, sub-grade and base. Your blacktop driveway should have positive drainage, a strong sub-grade soil and a gravel base ranging from 6-10 inches thick. These tips increase the quality of a blacktop and asphalt paving job and its maintenance over time.
If you want to make sure your blacktop driveway lasts for 20 or more years, then you might want to get some great information from the many blacktop product associations that exist. Often these are state level and many states have one.
Blacktop is a great material to use if you want a blacktop driveway. But not all contractors are equal. Some do great work at installing blacktop, while others do a poor job. To get a great job done on your blacktop driveway, you better know the right questions to ask.
Asphalt driveways can remain in great shape for decades. The right base and proper asphalt sealing are the keys.
Gravel driveways have a new update. Tar and chip driveways give the look of a beautiful gravel driveway with the strength of a blacktop base to hold the colorful stones.
Asphalt sealing will be successful only if you prepare the driveway first. Cleaning and patching asphalt cracks are the first steps. High quality asphalt sealers are the finishing touch.
Thick blacktop finish is not the answer to crack prevention. Cracks can be stopped before blacktop is applied. You need a well compacted dirt base and the right amount of gravel.
Asphalt driveways will lose their flexibility if not properly sealed. Flexibility helps asphalt driveways to resist cracking. Asphalt sealers need to be applied within the first year and then whenever the blacktop begins to wear.
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