Problems to Avoid When Paving a Driveway

Excavation

• The bed where the driveway will be laid needs to be excavated properly first. How much depends on the local terrain. You don't want the driveway to stick out above the ground adjacent to it, or you run the risk of having to drive up a ramp to get on the driveway and down another one to get into the garage. Existing paving material, as well as all weeds and grass, should be removed so the new project starts with a flat, clean base. Weeds can actually grow through the new material and compromise the integrity of the surface.

Drainage

• Standing water on top of your new driveway is a bad thing, but it can be remedied by taking care to plan for proper drainage. Decide where you want excess water to be funneled, and plan accordingly when the asphalt is poured. The driveway should not be perfectly flat but rather crowned in the middle in order to drain water to both sides, or tilted slightly downward to one side or another. Pools of water sitting on the surface for long periods of time will eventually compromise the driveway's integrity.

Materials

• Whether you're hiring the work done or doing it yourself, the driveway is one area where you don't want to skimp on the quality of materials, unless you envision repeating the project in its entirety at some point in the near future. Junk materials deteriorate more quickly into cracks and potholes. If one contractor comes in with a low-ball estimate, ask yourself if he's planning to use inferior materials in order to complete the paving for such a low cost.

Subgrade

• Subgrade is what goes beneath the actual asphalt. This process is completed during the excavation phase, and consists of gravel and sometimes a protective barrier. Some locations might need more attention to this than others. The overall point is this: A plastic or polythene layer of material is often needed to keep the base of the driveway from settling irregularly. If your driveway site is solid, neat and flat, you needn't worry about it, but if your contractor suggests that it be included, consider the possibility that he might know what he's talking about. A driveway that settles in scattered locations begins to quickly look bad.