Can Asphalt Be Installed Over Concrete

Holes and cracks can simply be filled with new asphalt or be tarred over for greater durability.

Can asphalt be installed over concrete.

If you have a deteriorating concrete driveway you may wonder if you could save a few bucks by having an asphalt driveway installed over it instead of having it demolished first. It is possible as long as the added elevation won t pose a problem. When concrete deteriorates it draws and holds moisture. An asphalt overlay is cheaper to install than replacing concrete and can provide a smooth ride over deteriorating concrete.

You can put asphalt over concrete but professionals don t advise it. During the winter that moisture freezes and continues to break the concrete down. Asphalt driveways that are paved over an appropriately compacted subbase will always be superior to asphalt that is laid over an unstable base or concrete that is prone to shifting and expansion. Asphalt works as a driveway base under concrete only when it is strong stable and at least 2 to 3 inches thick.

It will however require a little more maintenance than a typical asphalt overlay. It is safe to pave asphalt over concrete. Yes you would save money and yes you can do it this way. In fact many miles of concrete roads are paved over with asphalt every year.

While it is safe to pave asphalt over concrete there are several reasons why we do not recommend this method. Well the answer is yes. Holes or cracks with depth of 2 inches or more require filling before concrete overlay is applied. Concrete is poured with expansion joints that allow room for the pavement to expand in hot weather.

Concrete however typically needs to be replaced to restore its luster which is expensive and time consuming to do. Asphalt can be successfully installed over concrete but due to the characteristics of each material you may not be happy with the long term results as the asphalt will ultimately crack in the same manner that concrete does. Concrete is a great base material because it is stable and allows for excellent compaction of the asphalt above.