Step 1: Know Why You Want Asphalt Paving

You may have been limping along for years with a cracked, crumbling driveway made of asphalt or concrete. Or you may just have a gravel or dirt driveway and want something clean and neat for those rainy days.

What is Hot-Mix Asphalt Paving?

Hot-mix asphalt is the real stuff; the stuff you want for a good, complete driveway that you won''t have to replace for 20-30 years. It''s similar to what you see road crews using on roads. It''s an aggregate of stone and sand, along with a liquified slurry of asphalt. The asphalt is heated to over 300 degrees Fahrenheit to make it liquified. Asphalt contractors have to work with it fast before it solidifies.

Why Do You Want Hot-Mix Asphalt Paving?

It''s more flexible than concrete and thus less prone to cracking.
Cheaper than concrete.
Less prone to damage by rock salt and ice melt.
Sets faster than concrete because it hardens by cooling rather than drying.

What is Hot-Mix Asphalt Paving Not?

It is not driveway sealant.

Step 2: Find a Good Paving Contractor

Installing asphalt paving is most definitely not a do-it-yourself job. You have to find an asphalt paving contractor, and this may be harder said than done.

Beware of Dishonest Paving Contractors

·Unfortunately for the honest paving contractors out there, this profession has a reputation for scams and conmen. Watch out for:
·Contractors who find you, rather than you finding them.
·Contactors who say they have leftover asphalt from another job and will cut you a good deal.
·Contractors who seem to be moving through the area, rather than local, permanent contractors.

How to Find an Asphalt Paving Contractor

·Local reputation. Seek out projects that are years old and have withstood a number of seasons of snow, rain, and sun--and that still look good and function well.
·Paving contractors don''t necessarily have to be licensed as contractors, but if they happen to be--and they have a clean record--that''s a plus.
·National Pavement Contractor''s Association (see separate external link area on this page) has a "find contractor" section and has a lively forum with plenty of representation by paving contractors.

Step 3: Consider the Base That Will Go Under the Asphalt

Before laying down the asphalt paving, you need to prepare the base. There are three options here.

Install Asphalt Paving Over Existing Driveway

If your existing driveway is in good condition and is not severely cracked or crumbling, the hot-mix asphalt can be laid right on top of your driveway. One consideration, though, with laying on top of existing pavement is height. Are there fences, garages, and other structures that might make it impossible to raise the height of your driveway?

Rip Out Existing Driveway; Install Asphalt Paving on Soil

The preferred method. Existing driveway is completely taken out (or you may not even have an existing driveway!). Between 4 and 6 inches of hot-mix paving are laid right on the soil.

Rip Out Existing Driveway; Install Asphalt Paving on Aggregate Base
With this option, an aggregate stone base partially replaces some of the hot-mix asphalt.

Step 4: Install Hot-Mix Asphalt Paving

With the base all set, it''s the big day: time to lay asphalt.

Conditions Must Be Right to Lay Asphalt

Hot-mix asphalt is sensitive to temperate and moisture. Warmer temperatures are better because they give the contractor more time to work with the asphalt before it hardens.
Temps should be at least 70 degrees Fahrenheit in order to lay 1.5" of asphalt. If the contractor is using more asphalt (2 inches or more), he can work with a greater range of temperatures--down to 40 degrees is possible. Wind will shrink the window of time, as will moisture. In fact, too much moisture and the job may be delayed.

Asphalt Paving Goes Down

With all the preparations done, the actual asphalt paving goes fast. Blink and you may miss it. An average driveway may take as little as 20 minutes to at least begin to look like a finished product.

Step 5: Repairs/Adjustments to Property to Accomodate New Asphalt Paving

If your driveway is free and clear of other structures, this last step may be unnecessary. However, you may have had to remove fences or gates prior to laying the driveway. These structures must be re-installed and often re-configured to accomodate the higher pavement.

Now that you have a nice, new driveway, you''ll want to occasionally apply driveway sealer to prevent water from working into the surface pores. And when cracks begin to develop--even the smallest ones--apply the crack sealer to keep cracks from getting larger.