A new asphalt driveway makes a house and its yard look fresh and more attractive. In addition to providing safe and convenient access to the garage, a driveway frames the landscape. Contractors that specialize in Asphalt Driveway Installation in Guilford CT know how important it is to blend their driveway into the existing yard. Their first decision will be the layout of the driveway. It could be a simple rectangle that leads to the garage. However, if the home is on a busy street, they may also include a space for the homeowner to easily turn their vehicle around, so they won’t have to back out into heavy traffic.
Asphalt Driveway Installation in Guilford CT is very similar to constructing a small road. A driveway is made up of several layers of gravel and asphalt. To ensure that the driveway fits the existing landscape, the contractor has to excavate the driveway area. The exact depth of the driveway depends upon site conditions. It’s important that the contractor determine the amount of water drainage that is necessary. If water sits under the driveway, it will cause frost heaves as it freezes during cold weather. The base layer of gravel has to be deep enough to permit the water flowing under the driveway to dissipate. Steeper lots or lots with dense soil require more gravel. Local building regulations may require catch basins or other structures on steep lots. These keep the site’s surface water from affecting the local road network.
After the driveway is complete, homeowners can partner with their asphalt company to maintain it properly. Depending upon the weather and usage, a paving contractor should inspect the driveway every year or every other year. They will look for small cracks or pavement that is drying out. If the contractor spots small cracks, he will fill them with a hot rubberized compound. This prevents water from seeping into the lower levels of the pavement. If he sees that the pavement is drying out, he can apply sealcoating to rejuvenate it. Both of these strategies can add years to the life of the driveway. Atwater Paving is one of the companies in the Guilford area that provide these services to homeowners. They can contact them to set up an appointment for a free project estimate.
