New Driveway- 2 pavement options..help!!

[JBS71383]

I believe I.D. 2 is what we call top coat or sometimes 9 MM, I say believe because I don't recall anyone calling it I.D 2. If that is the case I would not use it as only shot. It is made up of smaller stone which gives it that smoother look.

Yes, you are correct, the ID2 is what they are using as a top coat around here..Thats our "smooth finish" mixture that gets used on all of the 2 layer driveways...

The one company wants to use ID3 which i believe is 3/4" stone and 1/2" stone?? From what I read, wouldnt this absorb more water than the ID2?

What are your thoughts on millings??

 

[Soundguy]

the stone, once bituminous coated.. should be 'absorbing' any water.. it should be an aquaclude and shed water to the sides or a side.. IE.. it should be crowned.. if there is no crown, or a negative crown you will have a swimming pool...

it's not a sponge, despite what it looks like.

unconsolodated gravel ont he other had.. water will flow thru it, albiet slower.. etc.

soundguy

 

[75H2]

I have a question. I have about 8,800 sqf of drive I would like to pave one day. Got a quote last year at 22K. Almost choked. In the interim I was considering doing a concrete apron infromt of the garage. My reasoning is that once the kids are old enough to drive their cars will sit outside. I want concrete there so ruts don't form. I was also thinking about going 6 inches, not 4. Is 4K PSI enough. It's taken me a long time to realize it's cheaper to do it right the first time. Anyone wish to comment. Am I on the right track?

 

[tommu56]

generically the compression in the "2" 1 1/2 lifts will be better than one 3" lift I worked with the contractor doing our fire house lot house with 2 lifts the difference is the second set of labor for the second layer he said that the 2 lift approach was better 90% of the time.

JFR I raised 4 kids on a gravel road and drive and would do it again in a hart beat it just toughens therm up:laughing:.
They all learned to ride bikes coasting down a hill in our lawn to cushion their fall no training wheels ever.
step ahead 25 years I got my grandson a running bike. to learn to balance.

That way he is learning to balance and not having the pedals whacking him in the legs and feet then on to a bike with out training wheels.

tom

 

[JBS71383]

Well, last night I was outside with my son and I see one of the contractors pull in my driveway... He basically just stopped by to see if I had any questions and to follow up. He is doing a driveway in the development near my house and stopped by since I am on the way... What basically happened was, since i hadnt made upmy mind yet, he knocked $660 off the price.. He came right out and said, " i need the work, I need to keep my guys busy". He said since I am so close to the other job, he can cut me more of a deal since all the equipment is already here and he wont have to fill the truck up again etc etc.... He is the guy who wants to do the 3" I.D. 3 .. Not sure what to do, as his price came down to about what the other guys are for the single lift.. Not sure if its a sales pitch, or the truth.. All of the contractors I talked to did say that business isnt the greatest now... This guy is a 3rd generation paver, and the company has been in business for 75 years, so I dont think hes a fly by nighter.....He did say that he uses a 3 ton vibratory roller and the same machines to put this stuff down as the binder and top coat...Not sure what to do now, since the quotes for the single lift are all basically the same...He seems to be pushing the single lift over the binder and top coat, I think because its more affordable so he could get the business... Any thoughts on what to do

 

[Soundguy]

in the end.. both are gonna be a real close 'finish' product for yer kids to ride a bike on.

not having to remobalize his equipment is where alot of the cost savings is coming from.

he's right about the economy. our co. is barely staying afloat. i can remember 10ys ago we wouldn't even look at doing a 'parking lot' now we will SWEEP a parking lot and wash yer dishes..

1 lift or 2 lifts. you've got a good base already to work with...

for heavy loads like BIG trucks.. etc.. I'd personally go with a non surface course as it is finer and will rut easier.. but that's just my opinion..

soundguy

 

[JBS71383]

He told me that, next year when I seal it, I wont be able to tell the difference between having a top coat or this stuff.. He also said 15 years or so down the road I would be able to put on a 1 1/2" layer of top coat over the 3" if I had to....I did ask him about other contractors using the fine course as a single 3" layer and he said what you are saying.. it will rut more..

I can imagine these contractors are looking for work as this economy is really still shaky, plus with the increase in asphalt prices, Im sure business wont be growing anytime soon.

 

[Soundguy]

yep.. I'd personally go with the non-surface course.. etc. and yes.. later on, if not damaged.. you can always broom it off, re-tack it with bituminous liquid as a binder, and put anoother lift of 'anything' on it if you wanted.

soundguy

 

[Diamondpilot]

I am in the other camp and would go with 2" base and 1" top in our climate. I hear too many bad stories about severe cracking with 1 single layer around here.

Go back and re-read my first reply. I went though all the same decisions as you last April, about a year and a half ago. Same size drive, climate, ect. I am very happy with my results.

By the way, propane truck and a dump truck have both been on it with no issues. I also have 3 trailers. One never gets over 7,000# but the other is 10,000# and the last one is 18,000# and not a single issue either.

Chris

 

[Soundguy]

Roadbuilding used to be the bulk of our work when the economy was good. done it since 84. 1" asphalt lift on top of more good asphalt with proper tack coat, and proper stabilized sub grade should not be an issue. Roads are capped with 1" lifts around here all the time if there is a surface imperfection or bad joint they need to rework. they call it an overlay down here.. not sure what it is called elsewhere. seems paving nomenclature and procedure is different in every region.

i was reading a study about paving in alaska.. thy boxed out and then dumped out of a truck and use a road grader to spread it.. black base style.. weirdest thing i've ever seen..

soundguy