How to re-pave your own driveway?
Question:I know you can do this kind of thing yourself. Would like advice from anyone who has, please. Thanks!
Answers:
If you want the driveway (whether asphalt or concrete) to last for more than a couple of years (and for what it costs to do it - trust me you DO!), then you really should completely remove the old material, regrade the substrate and put down the new surface fresh. SO don't look at this as a DIY project - it's not.
You can, however, look at it in three parts:
1. Remove old surface
2. Prepare substrate
3. Lay new surface
Steps 1 & 3 are best left to professionals - it will be quicker, be done right, and last longer.
But you might consider Step 2 as a way to cut cost if your willing to put in the time. You can buy pug stone by the truckload, have it delivered and dumped at the end of the planned driveway. Then spread it out yourself. Use string and line levels to make sure it has enough slope to take water away from the house. Use a long enough 2x4 to screed the surface relatively smooth and rent a compactor. You can also build the concrete forms yourself.
Trick is: can you do all that for less than what the paver will do it for and how long will it take you to do it versus the 1 day job it would be for a professional?
My advice: shop around for the best price AND a guarantee, but hire someone to do it.
If your drive is already blacktop then get asphalt sealer and fill in the cranks and holes after you have cleaned them out. If you want a whole new surface over top or a new blacktop drive you need a asphalt company.
What is the original material on the driveway?
More Related Questions & Answers...