BENEFITS OF ASPHALT DRIVEWAYS AND AFTERCARE ADVICE

Your home driveway makes up a significant proportion of your property’s façade, affecting the overall appearance of your home. A tired looking driveway can have a negative effect on your property value and ‘kerb appeal’. If you’re considering putting your property on the market, prospective buyers will be put off by a worn, damaged, weed laded driveway. We believe it is in your best interest to give your drive an upgrade.

The benefits of an Asphalt driveway:

Cost effective: Due to its simple design, an asphalt driveway is one of the cheapest options on the market today, even beating concrete.

Speedy installation: Asphalt dries exceptionally quickly, cooling and hardening after about five to eight hours. In contrast, concrete can take several days to fully cure.

Durable material: As a composite substance it is extremely durable, making it the go-to material for roads and motorways up and down the country. When laid effectively by our specialists it becomes resistant to cracking, even under the constant weight of your vehicle and is able to competently withstand hot or cold weather.

The process:

The driveway is first excavated to a formation level, followed by installation of kerbstone, concrete or timber edging which helps to keep the asphalt from crumbling away at the sides.

The asphalt is set in two layers, known as the base layer and the ‘wearing’ course. The base layer is transported to the site via a heated truck and laid roughly around the driveway; it is then spread fully across the drive with large rakes. The base is then finally compacted with an industrial roller.

The wearing course is made from finer aggregates which helps to make the asphalt look smoother with a better finish, whilst also making it much more durable. Our specialists will pay close attention to producing the finished product, ensuring its spread consistently and evenly.

Driveway aftercare:

A new Stone Mastic Asphalt surface on a suitably prepared base will give you many years’ service when properly cared for. There are a number of products suitable for driveway construction. However, it is currently generally accepted that Stone Mastic Asphalt adapted for hand lay is the best material for use in this situation.

Hot weather:

All bituminous materials softens at a given temperatures. When the driveway is black it will naturally absorb heat, particularly in direct sunlight. This can cause the bitumen bonding agent to soften and become more prone to damage from point loading by tyres and ladders, etc.

 In the early stages of the life of your driveway, it is wise not to cause surface stress by applying power steering when your vehicle is not moving or by sudden breaking. Particular care should be taken with 4 x 4’s and HGV’s.

 As the surface bitumen coating wears and oxidises, the aggregate becomes exposed and heat reflective thereby, reducing adhesion between the tyre and the surface.

 Whilst scuffing damage may cause concern, it is usually only superficial and will largely disappear with use to leave a uniform, long-term, hard-wearing surface.

Looking to invest in an asphalt driveway? Get in touch with D McCarthy Brothers Ltd today.

Since opening our doors in 1984, we have been offering countless happy customers bespoke asphalt solutions and are truly passionate about what we do. Our team has both the skills and resources to tackle a wide variety of asphalting projects, so whether you’re looking to resurface your driveway or create a multi-purpose sports area, we’re the contractors to call.

To learn more about our extensive range of services, email: info@dmccarthybros.co.uk or call our team on 01543 254 860.