An Outdoor Oasis

When you install a paved asphalt surface in your yard, you want it to look nice and remain as strong as possible to help it last many years. Maintenance of your asphalt surface is required and inevitable, but having your asphalt installed in the right way gives your asphalt a strong start to its being a durable pavement for you. Here are two recommended installation tips you should use when building your next asphalt pavement to help it remain a long-lasting and strong surface.

Build a Durable Foundation

The base layer of your asphalt is the first part of laying your asphalt paved surface and it sets the stage for the strength and flexibility the asphalt will have. Because asphalt is a flexible material, unlike rigid concrete, it needs to have some movement within its layers to prevent it cracking under the heavy weight of vehicles. A foundation made of gravel as a base layer gives the asphalt's top layer the support it needs, but also allows for flexibility.

If you or a contractor are installing your asphalt, be sure the foundation is installed right. Cutting corners to save some money on the installation can cause your asphalt to crack and fail before its expected lifetime.

Excavate the depth of soil from the site to provide space within the soil and the surrounding landscaping for the pavement to sit. For example, you don't want the new asphalt and its sub-base material to be installed onto existing soil and have it sit six to eleven inches above other surfaces and surrounding landscaping. Make sure the site is leveled and smoothed. Remove any large rocks from the area and any other debris that can disrupt the installation of the asphalt's foundation layer.

Check the soil on the site: If the soil contains clay and does not have good drainage qualities, you will need to install a base layer of eight inches compacted angular gravel. If your soil is well-draining and sandy, you only need to pour a four-inch layer of compacted gravel. The gravel provides for water to drain below the asphalt and not disrupt or crack the asphalt's structure, especially during freeze-thaw weather patterns. The gravel is compacted to help the edges of the gravel grip against one another to make it a strong layer beneath the asphalt.

Dress the Edges

Another way to make sure your asphalt pavement is strong and durable is to dress the edges of the asphalt, or support its edges with another adjacent-installed material. Asphalt is flexible to withstand weight and pressure from vehicles, allowing it to flex and bend, but if its edges are left to sit without nearby support, they are likely to crack and crumble. This is especially likely when a heavy vehicle drives off the sides of your unsupported asphalt.

There are a few different ways to dress your asphalt's edges, using a variety of materials. If your asphalt is going to be set adjacent to a lawn or other soft surface, it is recommended to install the foundation of compacted gravel six inches past the edge of the pavement. For example, if you have installed four inches of compacted gravel below your asphalt, make sure the four inch deep layer of gravel extends six inches out past the asphalt's edges.

You can also edge your asphalt with a decorative rock or stone. Be sure to form the edges of the asphalt at a 45 degree angle down to the surrounding soil, then spread the rock of your choice onto the soil and up over the angled sides of the asphalt. This provides a level surface extending past the asphalt to protect it from cracking if a vehicle drives over its edges. For more information, contact companies like Mariotti Site Development Co Inc.