Instructions for Driveway Paving
A paved driveway is not only a way to update and give your home curb appeal, but it also adds value to your property. Paving a driveway yourself may seem somewhat daunting at first, but with proper planning this project can be completed within a few short hours.
Items Needed:
- Boundary markers
- Gravel
- Asphalt mix
- Liquid cement
- Asphalt spreader
- Gravel spreader
- Drum roller
- Use your boundary markers to mark the dimensions of the area you wish to pave. This will help keep you on track during the process.
- Mix your asphalt mixture. This can be done by hand or by using a portable concrete/mortar mixer or mix by hand. If you are not prepared to mix the asphalt yourself, use an asphalt service for this part of the process. After it is mixed, take your asphalt mixture and the melted liquid cement and mix them together. Use caution at this point being that the mixture is extremely hot.
- Spread the asphalt across the marked area evenly using an asphalt spreader or a flat tool. This will ensure that the asphalt is laid uniformly and smoothly on the driveway.
- Use your gravel spreader to place the gravel on the asphalt until it is at least two to three inches thick but no deeper than eight inches. This part of the job must be done very quickly being that the mixture will start to cool and solidify within minutes.
- Use a drum roller to roll and compact the gravel into the asphalt to produce a chip seal. This will help protect your driveway from environmental elements such as snow, wind, and rain, as well as any damage from the constant use of vehicles.
- Allow at least 24 hours for your driveway to dry. This is the easiest but longest step in your project, but it is essential to not walk or drive on your new driveway until it is completely dry.