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The process of laying concrete & asphalt

You may need concrete replacement or asphalt replacement. No matter how well-laid the surfaces are, they will eventually wear out. You also may need new asphalt or concrete on a substrate that previously did not have a prepared surface. This article will provide you with an easy to understand overview of these processes.

Laying Concrete & Asphalt: Preparing the Substrate & Remove the Existing Surface

The first step in laying both concrete and asphalt is to remove the existing surface. Obviously, if the surface is simply earth, this step is not necessary. However, many times when laying concrete and asphalt there is already a surface there. Removing the existing service often includes jackhammering it apart and removing it piece by piece. It is not as time-consuming as you might think, however.

Compact the Soil

Once the existing service has been removed, it is time to compact the soil. This will be the first step in the process if there is not already concrete or asphalt in the location where you’re laying the new surface. Compacting this soil may not seem like an important process to someone who is not familiar with laying concrete and asphalt. However, it is very important. It actually may be the most important part of the process. Properly compacting the soil will help ensure that the concrete or asphalt laid on top of it does not crack and does last a long time.

Cover Soil With Crushed Rock & Pack It (for Asphalt)

Once the soil has been properly compacted, the contractors will need to cover it with crushed rock and pack it tightly if they are applying asphalt. This step in the process is not necessary if concrete is being laid, but it is an integral part of the process for asphalt. This crushed rock substrate offers an excellent surface for asphalt to sit on top of. Just putting asphalt on top of the soil would not work because it would not adhere properly to the soil. This could lead to an unstable and even dangerous surface. Once the crushed rock has been applied, it must be packed. This is usually done with the roller vehicle. Next, the contractors will allow the soil to settle for roughly seven days.

Choose a Thickness

Before the concrete or asphalt can be laid, a thickness must be decided upon. The standard thickness ranges from one and a half to three inches. The decision is yours in the end, but it is highly recommended that you listen to the recommendation of the contractor you’re working with. They are highly experienced and trained professionals and they have done many similar jobs so they will know the thickness that will work best for your situation.

Pour the Surface

As you might have guessed, the next step is to pour the surface. Concrete can simply be poured out of a contract mr. into the ground and leveled out. Asphalt must be applied with the rocky material first and then that are on top of it. This makes a little more of an involved process, but it is not as time-consuming as you might expect.

Let the Surface Dry (Concrete) or Compact It (Asphalt)

Once the surface has been poured, it is time to let it dry, provided the surface is concrete. If it is asphalt, it does not take nearly as long to dry. However, it must be tightly packed to ensure that it is weather resistant.

Making the Right Decision for Your Asphalt and Concrete Needs

In many applications, getting a new asphalt or concrete surface can actually save you money. Residential and commercial asphalt resurfacing, for example, can be more expensive than replacement in some circumstances. Commercial and residential concrete maintenance can also be prohibitively expensive. Even concrete driveway repair expenses can add up.

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How to Decide on the Right Contractor

Concrete services are incredibly versatile, and homeowners have a lot to choose from. The residential concrete market is booming, and today’s contractors are installing floors, patios and driveways at incredibly high rates. Available concrete professionals have their work cut out for them, and homeowners need to ask a few questions before settling on any specific provider. Finding the right concrete contractor can be tough. Settling on a single provider is a gamble, and it’s not one which should be taken lightly.

Before choosing a contractor, a few things should be considered. Below, we’re covering the best way to choose a concrete contractor.

Step One: Do a Little Research

First, you should research. A simple Internet search can return a list of potential contractors able to provide service in your area. If you want to get personal, ask your family members and friends for referrals and recommendations. Or, reach out to your area’s local concrete supply company and ask about commercial asphalt repair. Ask them to refer some decent concrete contractors. If you can compile a good list of contractor options, you’ll have a healthy supply of service providers to choose from.

Step Two: Assure Insurance Coverage

Next, you should make sure any contractor you work with has insurance coverage. Sometimes, things go wrong. A job site needs to be protected, and your service provider should have insurance coverage. Make sure you’re not going to be liable if an accident occurs. Before picking a contractor, make sure they have adequate insurance coverage. Their coverage should be enough to cover your home, the project and any injuries in the event of an accident. To help you determine whether a contractor’s insurance coverage is enough, contact their insurance company directly. Then, ask them to verify the contractor’s insurance—as well as their coverage policy’s dates.

Step Three: Determine Their Experience

A good contractor will have years of proven experience. Whether you’re looking at a commercial asphalt resurfacing provider or a number of driveway repair contractors, years in business is a huge indicator of direct potential. A lot of asphalt companies present their years in service up front for this reason—it’s a good advertising strategy. Some residential paving companies, meanwhile, can be difficult to pin down—experience-wise.

Choose between the providers which have at least five years of experience. Concrete contractors and businesses with at least five years of business tend to be more stable and reliable than most. Experienced contractors are, more often than not, highly active on different projects while also being capable suggestion and insight providers. You’ll want to choose a provider which can offer the right concrete mixes, who can suggest ongoing project options and who can enhance your home’s overall look.

Step Four: Ask for References

In the concrete contractor world, successful providers are backed by reputable references. Before signing any contract, ask your contractor for a list of references. Then, contact these references. Learn more about your potential contractor and their operations. Ask all references questions about the type of project they received service on, the project’s length and the project’s overall quality. Then, compare this information to other references.

Once you’ve compared several contractors, you can compare prices. While price should be a large determining factor of which services you’ll pick, it should be one of the last considerations you view. Insurance coverage and a solid track record are more important. They’ll assure high-quality work, and they’ll give you an idea of your project’s overall quality. Many residential paving companies exist, but not all can provide long-term project sustainability and great repair jobs. Be smart, check out several providers and make an informed decision.

 

Get in touch with us today. Check out our services or send us a quote for your next project.

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Should You Pave with Asphalt or Concrete?

When paving your driveway, it pays off to use the best materials possible. Whether you’re installing a new driveway, conducting driveway repair or are resituating your front yard’s layout, you should know the differences between asphalt and concrete installations.

If you don’t want to use low-end gravel or brick pavers, asphalt and concrete are your best bet. Each has advantages, but each is particular to different housing, driveway, traffic and lifestyle situations. Before picking a material, check out the differences below.

 

Concrete

When paving with concrete, you’ll have the benefit of a quick dry time. While both concrete and asphalt need to ‘cure’ before they’re driven on, concrete may take longer to dry. Concrete driveways utilize cement as a main building material.

The Positives

In general, cement driveways last longer than tar driveways. Tar is softer than cement, and it degrades quicker. With proper maintenance, a cement driveway can last ages. Additionally, a concrete drive is aesthetically pleasing if a homeowner wants a natural-looking home extension. Plus, concrete delivery is normally quick.

Concrete is an easy material to work with, and it can be manipulated to exist in a number of different finishes. Concrete can be tinted, stained and revised to display a number of colors. It can also be colored on a section-by-section basis, giving a driveway unique patterns. Concrete is a fantastic mold, too. Homeowners can etch, engrave and stamp various designs into concrete, making their driveway incredibly unique.

The Negatives

While cement is incredibly flexible, it’s frequently expensive to use as a material. Concrete takes much longer than cement to dry, so it isn’t a great option for homeowners in need of a quick sidewalk repair, driveway repair or installation.

Because concrete is comprised of sand and minerals, it’s more susceptible to cracking. It doesn’t expand well, and it can break if the temperature rises, or falls, rapidly. Salt, used for melting ice, is a good investment if you live in a cold area.

 

Asphalt

Like concrete, asphalt does take time to dry before it can be driven over. A lot of homeowners in high-temperature climates use asphalt for its temperature resistance. While asphalt may get hotter than cement, it’s a great choice for homeowners seeking long-lasting options while being practical.

The Positives

Asphalt is easily poured, so it’s a great option in terms of installation flexibility. Tar is generally cheaper than cement, and it offers a great bang-for-your-buck experience. Because tar expands and contracts with heat contact, it’s an excellent installation option if you live in a hot area.

A lot of homeowners use asphalt to create a seamless driveway-to-road look. Asphalt, for many, offers a more “classic” design than typical asphalt installations.

The Negatives

Asphalt is a more limited than concrete. Because it needs to be rolled and compressed, unique finishes are difficult to maintain. Until recently, asphalt color variations were limited. Still, some homeowners may not like the lack of design diversity with asphalt.

Asphalt needs to be resealed every three to five years, too. It also needs to be resurfaced. Fortunately, asphalt repairs are generally easier to conduct than concrete repairs.

 

So, Which Should You Choose?

While both materials are viable installation options, you should select the material most conducive to your area’s environment. If your driveway experiences rapid temperature shifts often, stick with asphalt. If you live in a cold area, consider installing a cement driveway.

An asphalt driveway can cost between four and seven times as much as a concrete driveway. While a concrete street needs little maintenance over 20 to 30 years, an asphalt driveway may need to be resurfaced in as little as 15 years. Paving with concrete means you’ll face less maintenance. However, concrete may not last as long.

At the end of the day, measure the costs. Then, pick the driveway repair, installation or replacement option healthiest for your wallet—and for your family.