Driveway Resurfacing
Driveway Resurfacing
Are you considering having asphalt driveway resurfacing on the Central Coast – Perhaps at your home or workplace? Or perhaps your existing driveway is in need of repair? You may be wondering about the replacement process. Installing a new asphalt driveway should only be done by trained professionals because it involves specialised equipment and techniques that a homeowner may not have access to.
What You Need to Know
Driveway Resurfacing Central Coast
The steps involved in constructing a new asphalt driveway are as follows:
Excavation and Removal
In most circumstances, a new asphalt driveway cannot be constructed on top of existing asphalt, concrete, or grass. The first step to constructing an asphalt driveway is to completely remove the old bitumen driveway. Once the surface has been excavated, the slope should be graded for proper water run-off. Water causes extensive damage to an asphalt driveway over time. Allowing water to pool up may cause premature potholes or cracks which will shorten the lifespan of your asphalt driveway. Drains may have to be installed to assist in proper water drainage. A trained asphalt professional can evaluate where drains are needed.
Sub-base Preparation
Without a proper sub-base, any asphalt on top may settle and crack over time, leading to unnecessary driveway repairs. The depth of the sub-base will depend on the type of soil/subgrade present. A clay type soil will require more depth, while a sandy soil would only require about 100mm. The sub-base will be fully compacted with industrial machinery and left to compact organically for several days prior to continuing work.
Installation of Timber Edging
In order to get a smooth finish on the asphalt pour, timber will be placed around the edges of the driveway. This will keep the asphalt driveway level as it is being poured and finished.
Adding an Emulsion Binder
An emulsion binder is poured on top of the sub-base to add strength and durability to the bitumen driveway. The binder is typically composed of gravel with sand or stones that have been mixed with oil. Without the binder, you may be paying for driveway repairs sooner than later. This step cannot be skipped in an asphalt driveway installed.
Installation of New Asphalt Surface
Finally, the top layer of asphalt will be poured. The top layer of asphalt is composed of small gravel, sand, and oil mixed together. The asphalt must be applied while it is hot, and it should be compacted before it cools down.
Replacing an Asphalt Driveway Cost Estimate
The cost of replacing your asphalt driveway will vary depending on its length and width. Asphalt driveway jobs are priced per square foot. The cost of replacing an asphalt driveway will also vary based on geography. High cost of living areas will see higher costs than the low cost of living areas. The average price per square meter for asphalt on the Central Coast ranges between $80 to $150.
You can save money off your asphalt driveway cost by preparing the work site in advance. Clearing any trees or brush that will be in the way of the asphalt contractors will save on labour costs. You could potentially save hundreds or even thousands of dollars by prepping the work zone yourself.
Driveway Resurfacing
Your Options
Depending on your requirements and budget, there are three options to choose from when deciding on how to go about building your asphalt driveway.
01.
Lay the asphalt on top of your existing driveway.
This option is only possible if the existing driveway is in good condition. We will need to check that the new finished level won’t affect other structures such as fences, gates and drainage.
02.
Lay the asphalt directly on the soil.
The asphalt company will remove the existing driveway (if any) and compact the existing soil. This option can be the most cost-effective but it can also be less durable, depending on whether the existing soil can drain well or not.
03.
Lay the asphalt on top of an aggregate base.
The asphalt company will remove the existing driveway (if any) and add a 15-20cm layer of compacted aggregate underneath the asphalt. This is often the preferred option and guarantees more durability because it is independent of external factors (such as original soil and existing driveway).
Driveway Resurfacing Central Coast
Step-by-step Guide
After identifying where you would like your bitumen driveway built, Coast Pave Asphalt will begin to remove your existing driveway material from the property. This price will be included in the quote. The materials will be loaded onto a truck and where possible, recycled. We strive to be as environmentally friendly as possible and thus aim to recycle 100% of the materials we remove from the site including old asphalt, concrete and pavers.
Old asphalt and concrete is recycled at concrete and asphalt plants and turned into strong, usable new asphalt or road base.
The next step is to begin preparing the shape of the driveway. The main factors to take into consideration are existing grades on and around your property, and where water flows when it rains. It’s important to ensure there is sufficient run-off as water is a major cause of damage to bitumen and asphalt driveways, causing potholes and cracks leading to deterioration over time.
Correct preparation of the sub-base is essential to ensure the longevity of your asphalt. What happens below the asphalt will, over time make its way to the surface which can lead to cracks or potholes.
As a rule Coast Pave put in 100mm of road base. Materials can be granite road base, crushed gravel or limestone, which will then be compacted using a roller and whacker plate to create a rock hard surface.
During the sub-base compaction process, we will check for any soft spots which may affect the integrity of the finished product.If the proof roll finds soft areas in the sub-base, Coast Pave Asphalt makes the necessary repairs in compromised areas to ensure the entire sub base is supportive. This step ensures the underlying surface is strong and ready to support new asphalt.
Once the supportive structures of a new asphalt surface are installed, the binder will be installed over the road base, allowing the top layer of fresh asphalt to be added to provide a clean, smooth ride.
Once the supportive structures of a new asphalt surface are installed, the top layer of fresh asphalt is added to provide a clean, smooth ride.
- Surface asphalt is made up of small aggregate, sand, and oil.
- This combination of materials creates jet-black asphalt that, when installed appropriately, provides a smooth ride and a shiny, attractive finished surface.
Once the asphalt and butt joints have been laid, the entire surface is smoothed and compacted.
- Using a roller truck, the new asphalt pavement surface is compacted and smoothed.
- This process step ensures that no small bumps of aggregate or stone are left poking through the smooth new surface.
Your asphalt paving contractor should follow these installation steps to make sure your new asphalt surface will provide years of durability and functionally for your home, business, city or town.
But remember that the installation process should only follow a proper surface inspection and a complete estimate.