Asphalt is a remarkably durable, long-lasting material. But even the strongest pavement won’t hold up for long without a solid foundation underneath. Just like a building needs a sturdy foundation underneath it to prevent it from breaking apart over time, a paved surface also needs a strong and solid foundation to prevent it from cracking and falling apart. That’s why it’s so important to choose a reputable paving contractor in install your new asphalt surface. Any asphalt professional will know exactly what is required in order to create a foundation strong enough to support your pavement for many years to come.
What follows are steps that your paving contractor will take to ensure that your foundation is sturdy enough for an asphalt surface:
- Debris removal – The first step in any paving project will be the removal of existing debris in the area to be paved. This includes removing any existing pavement, as well as any plants, roots or large rocks that might interfere with preparing the foundation.
- Sloping and grading the site – Proper water drainage is absolutely necessary to ensure that water doesn’t collect on any portion of your paved surface. Pools of water on asphalt can seep underneath the pavement and into the foundation, weakening the asphalt and creating cracks and potholes. To make sure this doesn’t happen, your contractor will grade and slope the surface area to ensure that water will run off the pavement once it’s installed.
- The foundation material – Typically, a foundation is made from a combination of sand and compacted rock that has been rolled over several times to create a solid surface. In fact, the top of the foundation should look smooth and be free of any loose material. To achieve this, your contractor will apply the foundation material, then use a heavy-duty roller machine to compact the material and smooth the surface.
- The role of water – Although your contractor will add water to the foundation as they lay it, this is intended only to help bond the rock and sand mixture together. But once the surface has been laid and rolled numerous times, it should be left to dry completely before asphalt is applied over the top.
A good foundation is absolutely essential to make sure that your asphalt pavement lasts for many years to come. To find out more about the steps involved in asphalt installation, and to request a free estimate for your upcoming project, contact a local, reputable paving contractor today.