If your property needs a new driveway, then talk to an asphalt paving contractor about what getting a new driveway entails. Your old driveway may need to be torn out and replaced with new asphalt, or the contractor might resurface your existing driveway without tearing it out first. Here are three things you may want to discuss with the contractor about getting your new driveway.
1. If Drainage Can Be Improved
If your old driveway developed problems due to poor drainage, then your contractor will probably recommend improving the drainage before the new asphalt is put on. This might entail repairing problems with the base under the asphalt or building up the end of the driveway near your house so water rolls toward the street or to the sides of your driveway.
If work has to be done on the base, it may be necessary to tear out all of the old asphalt first so the base can be compacted and sloped. A stable base is important — or else your driveway may not have a very long life.
2. If The Appearance Of The Driveway Can Be Enhanced
A new driveway has a dark, uniform color that has an attractive appearance, but if you want something different, talk to your contractor about options. It's possible to add color to the asphalt so it's something other than black. It's also possible to stamp designs into the asphalt while it's still warm. By stamping and adding color, the asphalt can look like red bricks or other types of pavers.
You might want the entire driveway to be stamped and colored, or you may want an extra-wide driveway installed so the sides can have borders that look like pavers.
3. How You Need To Maintain Your New Driveway
When you have a new asphalt driveway put in, it should be several years before you need to have work done on it. One thing you'll want to do is watch for cracks and have them repaired when you notice them. Sealing cracks keeps water out of the base, and that prevents potholes and prolongs the life of the base and the asphalt.
In addition, you may want to talk to the asphalt paving contractor about sealcoating the driveway. You probably won't have that done until the asphalt has cured, but when it's time, you may want the sealcoat put on to protect the driveway from the weather so that aging caused by the sun is slowed down and your driveway looks nice for longer.
To learn more, contact a resource like Virginia Asphalt Services Inc.