For an environmentally friendly world, it is essential to make use of recycled material. Reusing, reducing, and recycling are the best ways to live your life in today’s world. However, we are all very particular when it comes down to paving at our home or workplace – we never want to settle for anything less than the best. So the question arises, is using crushed or recycled asphalt for a driveway a good option? Read through and become aware of what should be done with crushed asphalt during the paving process.

There are multiple types of crushed asphalt available for paving which include:

• Asphalt Cement Supplement
• Hot Mix Asphalt
• Cold Mix Asphalt
• Granular Aggregate
• Sub Base Aggregate
• Fill Material

 

How is crushed asphalt paving is done and the steps you need to take for the process to be completed:

 

1. Measuring your driveway:

As simple as it sounds, you need to measure your driveway ultimately before calling in a recycled asphalt contractor to get an approximate idea of the amount of crushed asphalt required for the paving process. This step will help save any time being wasted if you get a lesser quantity of crushed asphalt or save money if you end up buying more volume than what’s required.

2. Clearing the way:

If you’re willing to get your driveway renovated or replaced, that’s not an option – you will have to get rid of it and remove it thoroughly. Clear away loose gravel, break up concrete and remove pavers and pieces. The surface which will be built upon needs to be clean and clear.

3. Grading for your crushed asphalt driveway:

To have an adequate drainage system, and no water leakage, the gradient of the driveway needs to be just accurate. Ideally, you will require the water to get directly to the bottom, running off through the sides of the driveway.

4. Compact the soil:

Here comes the part where you need to level the surface – rent a drum roller compactor and move it carefully on the soiled base to make it completely compact. This step is an important step and an integral part of the paving process.

5. Add Crushed Rock Base:

After the compacting step is through, compacted soil needs to be covered with jagged and coarse rock. For allowing drainage, ensure you utilize good road base mixture. Sandy soil will require almost 10 cm clay-based undersoil, and for crushed stone, 20 cm would be adequate.

6. Settle the base:

The base needs a couple of days to settle to get the best results. Leaving it for a couple of days will create a stable and robust base. The base will help in asphalt installation, avoiding any future issues, and also help you find out if there is any problem with your earlier compaction.

7. Install the Crushed Asphalt:

The install is the step that requires professional help and aid. Nonetheless, it is always best to be aware of how the process goes.

A thickness of around 100mm to 150mm is required to lay the crushed asphalt during the paving process. Making sure the asphalt is evenly distributed; you need to take special care that the edges are tapered off to keep the road base gradient even with the fall. A truck will deposit all the asphalt through the driveway. Moreover, a bobcat must be used to bring the crushed asphalt in its place. If there are precise edges, you might require shoveling asphalt by hand. To smoothen the asphalt across the driveway, make use of the racking bucket of bobcat like a leveler.

8. Compact the brand new driveway:

After the asphalt distribution, it is now time for compaction. Again, get hold of a drum roller and get to business. Now, the asphalt must be compacted to 100mm. A 45-degree angle should be formed to treat the edges of the driveway.

After knowing the entire process of the crushed asphalt paving, you might want to know the pros of it too. There are a couple of advantages to going ahead with the crushed asphalt driveway. Some of which are:

• Its affordable and crushed asphalt driveways are constructed at a little cost as lesser raw resources are utilized. Crushed asphalt requires fewer labor hours, which furthers reduces the expenses.
• Excellent bonding ability: Crushed asphalt has some tar remaining, which bonds greatly when made wet and compacted.
• Percolation: Crushed asphalt driveway prevents flooding the driveway as it has the capacity of holding up rain and snow pretty well.
• Appearance: These driveways aren’t only affordable and long-lasting; they are also appealing.

There are a few cons like discoloration of crushed asphalt driveways, but the pros certainly outweigh the cons. Hence, if you have the option – go for your crushed asphalt driveway without any delay!