Blacktop Driveway Installation

Mark the area on your property where you want the driveway to be positioned. This could be over an existing driveway or it could be a totally new area. Draw lines using spray paint. The pavement will run in between these lines, so make them to the dimensions you want.

Measure the length and width of the area where your driveway will be. All measurements should be in feet. Take the length and width measurements and multiply them together to give you the square footage of the driveway. This is the number the asphalt suppliers will need when estimating the price and quantity of the material.

Prepare a base for the asphalt by laying down a 4-inch bed of sand and gravel mix. This will be a couple of inches wider than the actual driveway. Use a vibrating steel roller to compact the base. If you do not compact the base it will cave in over time and result in the asphalt cracking or breaking up. If you are laying asphalt over an existing driveway, you will have to apply a layer of tack oil to the surface which will help the asphalt stick when it is laid down.

Have the asphalt supplier bring the material in a large dump truck. The truck should move while it is unloading so that the asphalt will be spread out over the area where the driveway will be located rather than just dumped in a pile.

Spread the material out evenly with a heavy rake and shovel as soon as it has been unloaded as you want to have it in position before it cools. Taper the edges of the asphalt so that there isn't a hard drop-off.

Roll the asphalt several times with the vibrating steel roller to ensure that it is thoroughly compacted. If you do not complete this step, you will have voids in the driveway which will result in cracks and holes in the future. Additionally, you will probably get ruts in the driveway the first time you drive on it.

Keep cars and heavy equipment off the asphalt for at least 24 hours so that it can cool and become hard. To limit cracks you should seal the driveway using tack oil and a light layer of sand; this will help prevent water from penetrating the asphalt.