Paving Your Driveway More Successfully

9 Tips For Rejuvenating And Constructing Your Driveway

Your driveway is one of the first things that visitors to your home will notice. If your driveway is in a poor state, now is the time to give it an update. Here are tips for making your driveway more than just a place to park the car.

1. Wait for the ground to settle. If your home is new, wait for the ground to settle before you start constructing your new driveway. You might have to wait a few months before the ground is ready to build the driveway.
2. Get a professional assessment. If you are planning to re-do your driveway yourself, have a professional assess the drive first. There might be problems of which you might not be aware that could impact the final product.
3. Create a solid base. The ground under the driveway needs to contain at least six inches of compacted crushed stone. This helps to make the base solid and helps to ensure that your driveway does not shift over time. 
4. Use ample asphalt. The asphalt you use to pave your driveway with needs to be thick. At a minimum, use two inches of compacted hot mix asphalt to pave your driveway.
5. Add an extra layer. To make your driveway more durable, top the hot mix asphalt with an one to two inches of surface course. Do not add the top layer until the asphalt has been smoothed out. 
6. Do not forget a drainage pitch. When it rains, water can pool up on your driveway which can lead to damage. To avoid this, your driveway needs a slight slope. 
7. Protect your home. The slope that you include for water drainage should not be directed towards your home. The water could pool up near your home and damage the foundation. Instead guide it away from the home. 
8. Repair cracks first. If you are not replacing your driveway completely, be sure to fix the cracks before you place a new coating of asphalt down. If you do not, the old problems could slowly creep into your new asphalt. 
9. Avoid using chemicals. Once your driveway is finished, it is important that you avoid using chemicals on it. Chemicals such as deicers can impact the traction quality of your driveway. 

Repairing or completely redoing your driveway can spruce up your home's appearance. A good driveway is also beneficial to the cars that have to travel on it. Do not hesitate to get professional help from a company like Precision Lawn & Landscaping if you are unsure about the project.