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Three Factors That Affect The Lifespan Of Your Asphalt Driveway

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3 Factors That Affect The Lifespan Of Your Asphalt Driveway An asphalt driveway lasts for many years when it is installed properly and maintained to repair cracks and holes. The dark color of asphalt is an attractive addition to your property, especially when you seal the surface every few years to maintain the color. Here are some important aspects of installing a new asphalt driveway that ensures your driveway will have a long life and resist damage. The Subgrade Must Be Properly Prepared And Compacted The asphalt is applied on top of the subgrade, so this part of the driveway has to be stable. If the soil is too soft, it can shift and cause cracks to develop in the asphalt. The base has to be cleared and compacted first. Then, the area is checked for areas of loose or soft soil. If any are found, the soft areas must be filled in until the base is sturdy. Once that's done, a new layer is added to the …show more content…

This might be a mound of soil or aggregate. You might even install a decorative border of beams or tiles. This helps hold the sides of the driveway stable so the sides don't crumble. A border also reduces the risk of cars driving along the edge of the driveway and weakening the sides to cause damage. Edging can be mostly invisible in the case of a soil mound, or you can make it decorative to enhance the landscape of your yard. Proper Drainage Is Vitally Important Before your driveway is installed, the contractor will come up with a plan that includes proper drainage. You don't want water to puddle on the driveway. Rain should roll to the ends of the driveway or off to the sides so it can drain away. Standing water leads to cracks and potholes and it can even cause damage to the base if it leaks through to the soil. Therefore, properly sloping the driveway is one of the most important things your contractor can do to ensure the asphalt has a long

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