Planning new paved driveway - need help not getting ripped off
#1
09-12-17, 02:22 PM
Planning new paved driveway - need help not getting ripped off
Hi,
Our driveway is now 50 years old and believe it or not,
is kaput.
I plan to get quotes to have it replaced so here are some questions:
Thanks guys!
Our driveway is now 50 years old and believe it or not,
is kaput.I plan to get quotes to have it replaced so here are some questions:
- How do I know that I am getting the depth of gravel promised?
- How thick should the gravel be?
- I've seen some driveways left in gravel for months before paving and others paved immediately. Why one way or the other?
- How thick should the pavement be?
- Anything else I should be looking out for or asking about?
Thanks guys!
#2
09-12-17, 02:29 PM
Member
I will answer #3 for you. Settling! If you are able the live with a gravel drive then letting the gravel and stone settle for a year or two is a good thing. My father-in-law did this with both a concrete drive and a blacktop and never had problems ever.
#2. I think 4" is minimum, but I'm not sure.
If you're getting a blacktop, I suggest a brick curb level with the finish topping. It will preserve the sides for many years.
#2. I think 4" is minimum, but I'm not sure.
If you're getting a blacktop, I suggest a brick curb level with the finish topping. It will preserve the sides for many years.
#3
09-12-17, 03:07 PM
Thanks, Norm201. Hopefully, I'll get some more answers. FYI - here in Jersey, I've never seen brick driveway curbing, just Belgium block, which is never flush, which we do not want, and which they make the real money on.
#6
09-13-17, 06:28 AM
How do I know that I am getting the depth of gravel promised?
How thick should the gravel be?
I've seen some driveways left in gravel for months before paving and others paved immediately. Why one way or the other?
How thick should the pavement be?
Anything else I should be looking out for or asking about?
#7
09-13-17, 06:52 AM
Member
Find a good company, there are lots of references out there and you will be ok.
For blacktop 4" is the norm, key is drainage and solid base.
One house was all sand, good drainage but after a couple of years the drive was wavy.
Last two home I contracted, 8" of compacted gravel base, good slope, they were perfect!
For blacktop 4" is the norm, key is drainage and solid base.
One house was all sand, good drainage but after a couple of years the drive was wavy.
Last two home I contracted, 8" of compacted gravel base, good slope, they were perfect!
#8
09-17-17, 03:56 PM
Also, the best asphalt driveways are laid in 2 layers. 1st a binder course of about 3" is laid his hands larger stones in it and is stronger. Untapped of that a finish layer is laid of approximately 1'. This has finer aggregate and will make it smoother surface less susceptible to water intrusion.
Not all asphalt contractors do it this way but the better ones do.
Not all asphalt contractors do it this way but the better ones do.
#10
09-18-17, 08:42 AM
Member
Not all asphalt contractors do it this way but the better ones do.
