How often should you blacktop your driveway?

Asphalt driveways should be resealed about once every three years to maintain their appearance and protect them from breaks and oil damage. As with concrete, finish the repairs, allow time for curing and clean before sealing.

How much does it cost to resurface your blacktop driveway?

Resurfacing an asphalt driveway costs $1,800 to $4,200, or $3,000 on average. This price breaks down to $3 to $7 per square foot for the typical 600 square-foot area. Resurfacing your driveway with asphalt involves performing minor repairs and applying a new layer on the top.

How long does asphalt driveway last?

The life expectancy varies based on climate, traffic, and maintenance. It is possible to have asphalt pavement last 25-30 years, but this depends on how strong the base is, the soil types underneath, how well those soils drain, how think the original road, parking lot, or drivewaywas paved.

Is it cheaper to blacktop or concrete driveway?

The cost of an asphalt driveway is typically cheaper than concrete, costing $2.00 – $4.00 per square foot. … In contrast, a concrete driveway costs between $4.00 – $6.00 per square foot for a standard installation. Finishes, details and stains can increase the price tag to as much as $15.00 per square foot.

How do you fix crumbling asphalt driveway?

Use asphalt paste patch that contains fine aggregate to fill small holes and gaps along curbing. Mound the repair above the surface the way crews do on roads. They let car tires reduce the speed bumps and gradually compact the mix. You can use a heavy metal tamper, or the end of a 2-by-4 to pound the patch nearly flat.

Should I resurface or replace my asphalt driveway?

While resurfacing is a great option for your driveway, it’s not always the best measure. After about 15 years your driveway will naturally lose its structural value. If your driveway is this old, our experts recommend completely replacing the asphalt.

What is the difference between asphalt and blacktop?

Asphalt generally refers to major highways and streets, whereas, blacktop is commonly used to refer to driveways and residential roads. … Blacktop has a higher mixture of stone than asphalt. It also must be heated to a higher temperature, around 300 degrees, than other types.

What type of driveway lasts the longest?

Concrete. Concrete is the old standby for driveways. Most suburban homes opt for this material for two big reasons: Concrete is typically the longest-lasting driveway surface, and, if installed properly, it is practically maintenance-free.

Is 2 inches of asphalt enough for a driveway?

Residential driveways typically use 2 to 3 inches of asphalt with 3 being suitable for occasional large trucks or heavy equipment. Underneath the asphalt you should have 6 to 8 inches of granular base aggregate. Underneath this you have soil.

What is the average cost for blacktop?

Type of Driveway Material Cost Per Square Foot
Driveway Material Cost Per Square Foot Estimate
Concrete $3 – $18
Asphalt/Blacktop $7 – $13
Gravel $1 – $3
Chip Seal $2 – $5
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Sep 17, 2021

Will rain hurt a new asphalt driveway?

In general, asphalt cannot be installed when it is raining. … When rain comes into contact with fresh asphalt, it causes the oil to rise to the surface which can affect the curing time and the finished product. If asphalt is paved while it’s raining, it can reduce the overall quality of the asphalt.

What is a blacktop driveway called?

Both asphalt and blacktop can be called a tarmac. A tarmac is the material used for creating roads, runways and other high-traffic areas.

Can you put new asphalt over old asphalt?

An overlay or resurface can be used on an asphalt driveway, parking lot, or road way. It consists of installing a new layer of asphalt over the existing asphalt and grinding at the transitions (i.e. sidewalks, garages, drains, curbs, or other asphalt points).

What is the cheapest option for a driveway?

A gravel driveway is by far the cheapest and quickest to install, especially if the existing driveway sub-base is sound.

Can asphalt be laid over concrete?

It is safe to pave asphalt over concrete. Concrete is a great base material because it is stable and allows for excellent compaction of the asphalt above. In fact, many miles of concrete roads are paved over with asphalt every year.

Are there different grades of blacktop?

When it comes to asphalt, you have many choices as homeowners. There are three different grades available in asphalt. The grades available are I-2, also known as base; I-5, known as top ;and the I-4 or commercial top grades. The difference in the tree grades are that the I-2 or base consists of ¾ inches of stone.

How can I make my asphalt driveway look better?

How to Make an Old Asphalt Driveway Look Good
  1. Clearing Weeds. Pull or use weed killer on sprouting weeds and invasive grass to remove them from the edges or inside of breaks. …
  2. Fill in breaks. breaks form in the asphalt from settling or from hot and cold expansion. …
  3. Fill in Holes and Chips. …
  4. Seal the Driveway.

How much does it cost to top coat a driveway?

The average cost for a contractor to sealcoat your asphalt driveway is $0.17 to $0.24 per square foot. Driveways measuring 480 square feet cost $80 to $115 to sealcoat. Larger driveways cost $170 to $240 to sealcoat. Cost ranges may vary by contractor and region.

What is the best temperature to pave a driveway?

The best time of year to pave asphalt is during the spring and summer months because the best temperature for hot paving is generally 70 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. It’s possible to lay asphalt at temperatures as low as 50 degrees, but doing so isn’t likely to bring about the best results possible.

What is the best temperature to install asphalt?

When hot mix asphalt is delivered to a job site it should be in the 275 to 300-degree Fahrenheit range. During initial application, the asphalt should still be at least 220 to 290-degrees Fahrenheit.

What are 3 types of asphalt?

There are three main types of asphalt: Hot Asphalt, MC Cold Mix, and UPM. There are also different varieties of these asphalts for summer and winter use.