How the Residential Asphalt Paving Process Works

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The next time you are in a driveway or parking lot, look down. You'll see pavement. Unless you have ever had a parking lot paved yourself, you probably have not spent a lot of time thinking about pavement before. Well, that's about to change. See, you happen to have arrived on a blog about pavement and paving contractors. We really like this topic, and so we write about it a lot. You're invited to read our articles. At first, you may not be too excited by that prospect, but we promise — there's a lot to learn about paving, and it's far more interesting than you'd think.

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How the Residential Asphalt Paving Process Works

28 June 2021
 Categories: , Blog


If you want to install an asphalt driveway for your home, it is important to understand how the paving process works. This will give you a deeper insight into the paving process and be able to make better planning decisions.

Project Planning

The first step of the asphalt paving process is the planning stage. During this stage, you need to get the permits necessary for the project. This is where the contractor will analyze the area where the driveway is to be installed to determine if an overlay or removal of the old material is necessary. It is where drainage issues will be sorted out. The planning stage is essential for a successful project.

Preparation and Excavation 

Once the planning process has been completed, it is time to start with the actual prep work. If there is an old surface that can't be overlayed, such as decaying asphalt or damaged concrete, it will need to be completely removed from the work area. If the land is virgin land, trees and rocks will also need to be removed.

The ground may need to be graded to allow for proper drainage. The area has to be first prepared for the actual paving process before you can begin.

Build the Subbase

Next, the subbase has to be laid down for the driveway. The subbase is essential to the foundation. You need a solid sub-base to stand up against usage, weather, and erosion.

It is common for the contractor to perform a proof roll to ensure the sub-base is strong enough for the top layer. A binding layer is often added on top of the subbase.

Applying the Asphalt 

Now that the subbase is established, the asphalt will be applied. Asphalt is a mix of stones, sand, and tar-like substance. There are several different mixtures of asphalt, so your contractor will have to pick the right asphalt mixture based on the time of year the driveway is installed and your local weather conditions.

Curing Time 

Finally, there is the curing time that is necessary for the driveway to harden. During this time, you are not going to want to walk or drive on the surface. The full hardening process takes a little more than a few days, but you should be able to start using the driveway after that.

The installation of a residential asphalt driveway will involve five different steps. Each step is essential. For more information about residential asphalt paving services, be sure to talk to your contractor about all the steps necessary to install a new driveway so you can be fully prepared for the installation process.