Tips for Paving an Asphalt Driveway

A nicely paved driveway can add value to your home and boost its visual appeal. Asphalt is one of the main materials used to pave a person's driveway. It is a relatively simple task and can be done with minimum supervision. However, there are some important tips to keep in mind when you are performing the task.

• Determine the base level for the asphalt. Experts say that a gravel base should be between two and eight inches thick. This ensures that it will lay correctly and that the material will not easily crumble or crack.

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  Contact a contractor. If you do not have the time or resources to pave your driveway, hire a professional to do it for you. Make sure that the professional is licensed and find out what type of gravel depth he intends to use for the base.

  
  


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  Have the contractor come to your home to inspect your property. He should be able to provide you with an estimate and a time frame of when the work can be completed. Be sure to check and see that he has the proper insurance.

  
  


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  Make sure that the asphalt base is a foot wider than the surface. This provides much needed support for the edges, which can easily break off due to general wear and tear.

  
  


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  Allow your driveway time to cure, or harden, for about six to nine months before you seal it. Sealing your driveway too early can lead to other problems.

  
  


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  Use a high quality sealer when it is time to seal the driveway. A sealant should be applied every three to five years.