The truth about asphalt over concrete.
Can asphalt be laid over concrete driveway.
Well the answer is yes.
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.
So yes pouring asphalt over concrete may look good at first but there are bound to be troubles over time.
The problem won t so much be that of the concrete not adhering to the asphalt but rather the weight of the concrete on the asphalt causing the driveway to sink.
However you will be taking a risk that the concrete underneath will after a period of years heave and move under the asphalt cracking or breaking the surface.
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 is easier to maintain.
It just doesn t make fiscal sense to do it as that driveway will need a lot more work in the near future.
By removing the asphalt you could.
You can complete asphalt driveways in a short amount of time often under three days.
An asphalt overlay is cheaper to install than replacing concrete and can provide a smooth ride over deteriorating concrete.
But there are issues as you might expect.
Blacktop can be successfully installed over concrete.
Putting asphalt over concrete is done for several reasons but does have its drawbacks.
Holes or cracks with depth of 2 inches or more require filling before concrete overlay is applied.
It will however require a little more maintenance than a typical asphalt overlay.
The process for this is a lot easier where the asphalt gets laid out and then stones are mixed in to finish off the surface.
One positive aspect of installing blacktop over concrete is the concrete provides a firm base for the flexible asphalt paving.
It s a cheaper alternative to asphalt but less common than concrete or pavers when it comes to picking materials.
Concrete is poured with expansion joints that allow room for the pavement to expand in hot weather.
The texture is a bit rougher because it is made up of a combination of asphalt and stone.
Before concrete installation begins the asphalt is inspected and repaired as needed.
Does concrete provide a solid base.
Asphalt works as a driveway base under concrete only when it is strong stable and at least 2 to 3 inches thick.
Asphalt can be installed on top of concrete.
In addition you do have an alternative paving method that may surprise you.
From time to time you ll find concrete streets and driveways that have an asphalt overlay on them.
It is safe to pave asphalt over concrete.
If you need to upgrade your driveway in a hurry then asphalt is your wisest option.