|
Well you are all settled in your new home, you've never been so elated
so you go outside to see the view of your new home from the road and
you’re thrown off. Something is wrong, it’s that damn driveway.
It looks ragged and ancient; you want it to complement you, and who you
are and your dreams for your home. It’s time for some paving, making
that driveway your baby. It takes a few things however if you plan on
doing this yourself. In a couple, maybe expensive steps if you don’t
do your research, your driveway can look as good as new. It can even
have some color. Imagine that.
Some essential items you might need… some gravel, some crushed
gravel, gravel spreader, asphalt mix, some asphalt spreader, and even
a drum roller. A big question is whether you have an old surface to remove,
if so, you are going to need a jackhammer to break that surface up. That’s
going to be a little tough, but it should be enjoyable.
Ok, once the old surface is up, it’s time to start anew. First
mark off the boundaries of the driveway so the gravel doesn't overlap
them, then start spreading the gravel through the driveway. A gravel
service can bring you some gravel and leave it at the bottom of the driveway.
Make sure while your spreading the gravel, it is not any deeper than
8 inches.
Gravel services can be easily found online.
Next up is the asphalt, use an asphalt service if you must, or simply
do it yourself if you have the proper equipment. Once the asphalt and
liquid cement mix is nice and hot, you are ready for the next step.
Now you must distribute the asphalt evenly, using an asphalt spreader
to even out your surface. Then make sure to spread the crushed gravel
throughout the warm asphalt. A drum roller could be good for this or
any tool to help smooth out the surface into a chip seal, keeping the
driveway strong.
What’s left you ask? Just don’t touch it. Let the driveway
cool off and dry for at least 24 hours with anyone touching it, or anyone
driving on it.
If you want the driveway a specific color, concrete can be stained into
an assortment of different colors. Of course that decision has to be
answered before this whole process begins. |
