Pavement is one of the unsung heroes of the modern era. It makes life infinitely easier, cleaner, and safer. This being said, very few people know a lot about paving or the process by which it is created. The following seeks to remedy that by taking a closer look at the paving process. Helpful tips regarding home paving projects will also be discussed.

When Is Paving Needed?

When you think of pavement, you likely have images of roads, driveways, and parking lots. Basically, anywhere that cars drive or intensely heavy traffic occurs, paving might be a good option.

More than this, older paved areas might need repaving. You probably have an idea of what constitutes good pavement and what constitutes bad pavement, especially if you drive. Potholes, cracks, and other problems can result in a rough drive that is risky, damaging to your vehicle and messy. Smooth, even pavement, in contrast, can contribute to a smooth drive. Instances where there is no pavement but lots of traffic and driving, or instances where there is pre existing pavement that is crumbling, cracking, or filled with holes are both scenarios when paving might be needed.

There is also an aesthetic consideration. Paving can be considered as part of improving a home’s curb appeal, especially if the driveway is front and centre. In the real estate world, working on the driveway or walkway is referred to as hardscaping.

Finally, there are occasionally other aspects of home or business maintenance that might require paving work or professionals. If you visit www.rvapavingpros.com you’ll be able to see a few other instances when paving professionals might be needed, including dealing with foundation problems, chimney issues, and crawl spaces. If you’re unsure of whether paving would be ideal in your situation, reach out to a paving technician.

Paving Repair

In some instances, the whole paved surface doesn’t need to be replaced; simply, a few areas need repairs or spot treatments. If cracks or holes or sunken areas seem minor to you, you can reach out to a paving professional and get their opinion. In some instances, spot treatment will work fine, but in others, the cracks are indications of bigger issues and will likely reappear if the root cause of the problem is not addressed.

Preparation Phase

As with most projects, there is a preparation phase before paving begins. This is the point in time when a homeowner or business owner reaches out to a local paving technician and learns about the options available. This is the stage where pricing will be discussed as well as the time frame. In many instances, this involves the legal obligation to have power, telephone, cable, gas, sewer, water, and other known utilities marked off as well as things like sprinkler systems, alarm sensors, plumbing systems, electrical systems, and invisible fence systems. 

Digging Or Excavating

Pavement can last a long time and maintain a pristine, sturdy appearance throughout, but in order to do this, the structure beneath it needs to be addressed. Simply covering damaged asphalt or soft ground will result in cracking and other problems relatively soon. Depending on the area being paved and any obstructions like rocks, stumps, or clay present, your paving technician will determine how deep to dig. 

The Base

Once a sufficient dig has taken place, and problematic materials and obstructions have been removed, a base material will be put in place. In many cases, this is a crushed stone base, but depending on your climate and terrain, a technician might suggest something else in its place. One of the crucial elements of the base is how well it drains, as pooling water will cause your pavement to deteriorate faster. It also doesn’t look very nice.

Asphalt

Once a smooth and sturdy base is prepared, a hot pavement mix is laid atop the base where it cools. Sometimes, two layers of asphalt are laid.

Compacting

Once everything is in place, the project is not yet complete. Compaction is a crucial step in the paving process as this is part of what strengthens your asphalt and ensures that the structure will keep itself together throughout the seasons. A drum roller is often used to press everything down and ensure a smooth finish to the final surface.

The above information should have broken down when paving is needed and what the process of paving looks like. Of course, every terrain is slightly different, and this means that the process might look a bit different depending on the water levels in your area, extreme weather considerations, and typical temperatures. Local professionals are often a great help in this regard as they have experience with paving in your area and so know how to work with the climate instead of against it.