If you are planning on having paving done on your property there are a few paving strategies that you need to plan. From your paving options to the proper process here’s the approach your paver should be using:
- Two Choices: There are a number of paving choices available depending on where you live and the application area. Since the most common paved area on a property tends to be driveways your two choices for your paving strategy are concrete and asphalt. They are both good choices but asphalt is a petroleum based product which means it is more flexible than concrete. Many people tend to prefer asphalt over concrete for this reason as the surface can heave due to due various conditions which can lead to potential cracking.
- Quality Control: Both driveways and roadways must have a quality control strategy in order to last. This means you must ensure there is a high quality road base laid and that the proper paving materials are being used. As well the weather conditions must be optimum and the paving team must be using the correct paving equipment. You also want to know that they are using experienced workers who are trained and skilled grading and paving contractors.
- Soil: Your paving company must also include a plan for the type of sub-grade they lay beneath the driveway. The sub-grade is the soil and it will greatly affect the overall quality of your paving project. The reason the sub-grade is important is because like the asphalt or concrete it will expand and contract which in turn will affect the stability of your driveway or roadway. For example paving over shale or clay is very unstable and can lead to buckling and even shifting once exposed to heavy loads. Your contractor should have a strategy in place to deal with the soil on your property in order to replace it if need be. As well any trenching must be filled with sand and gravel not soil to help maintain the integrity of the roadway as soil will continue to settle causing damage where as compacted sand and gravel will provide the proper stability.
- Drainage: In areas with poor drainage your contractor there must be a strategy to improve the stability of the area. The road base may require a geo-tech fabric and the road base must be compacted. As well there must be grading for surface drainage.
These strategies will ensure stability and a safe, long lasting paved surface.
