Do You Like Your Asphalt Driveway.??

[JDGreenGrass]

So what depth does a residential driveway need to be to stand up to the test of time.??.....4 inches.??

 

[Dog Lover]

A full 2" will work just fine.

 

[2manyrocks]

At first, I liked having an asphalt driveway, but after sealing the thing on and off for several years, not so much after that.

 

[sweettractors]

Here in my area of Ky the soil moves under the blacktop from season to season (opens and closes cracks 1/2 inch wide). So, here, you are always batteling cracks in asphalt. Concrete with stress lines, is the best in the long run for this area. Ken Sweet

 

[brin]

At first, I liked having an asphalt driveway, but after sealing the thing on and off for several years, not so much after that.

I have noticed several folks posting about the need to seal their asphalt driveways every 3 or 4 yrs...

I have had a 1/4 mile asphalt driveway for over 20 yrs. and it is still fine..it looks great. It had a good base to begin with before we had in paved but we added 2 inches of crusher run gravel and the paving company rolled it and then paved it. After it aged about 6 months we had it sealed and here is where the difference may come in....it was a hot seal..a truck came out with a big tank on it and had two hoses off the back - 2 guys , each one took a hose and they started at the back of our road and sprayed the sealer on HOT to our road while 3 other fellas squeezed it in and it had a sand mixed in the sealer. We have never had to seal it again.

The only maintenance has been me using my FEL wit the bucket flat against the surface of the road on each edge with the leading edge barely tipped down and slowly driving the length of the road on both sides to keep the grass from growing onto and into the road...I do this twice a year.

 

[srs]

At first, I liked having an asphalt driveway, but after sealing the thing on and off for several years, not so much after that.

Is it really necessary to seal an asphalt driveway? If the driveway was installed correctly, meaning proper base and proper thickness of asphalt I was wondering if sealing is needed?

 

[Egon]

The more volatile components of the asphalteens in asphalt will evaporate over time. Sealing will help prevent this.

 

[sweettractors]

Is it really necessary to seal an asphalt driveway? If the driveway was installed correctly, meaning proper base and proper thickness of asphalt I was wondering if sealing is needed?

We have the need to seal at least every 3 years. The black color bleaches out and starts deteriorating if you don't. Ken Sweet

 

[jimmyj]

My neighbor did a nice big concrete pad near his house and left the rest of the lane gravel. No dust or dirt to get tracked in, a nice place to park and easy to clear snow but without the cost of doing the whole drive.

My dad did asphalt at the area by the house and the rest of his lane in reclaimed asphalt. But he put it down thick (he is a road builder) and both areas are doing just fine after about 10 years. The only issue with the asphalt is the sealing.

Maybe one of these solutions makes it affordable to get the concrete?

 

[pat32rf]

Look around YOUR area and talk to neighbours. Soil differs and requires different prep steps. Around here I can't find ANY ashphalt that has lasted longer than 5 years without needing repairs/maintenance of some kind. Most times it doesn't get it.....Even the main street in town had to be ripped up as the wrong mix was used.
I've found IN OUR CLIMATE and soil that its easier to prep for concrete that will last.
Talk to the local redimix outlet as well. He has normally been around longer than the asphault installer. If there is a problem in a few years we normally blame the asphault installer (who is probably long gone) or the concrete supplier who is still in the same location. The supplier has a bigger stake in getting you the right product for your job....
Around here there is NO chance to talk to your asphault supplier..