How Does Driveway Paving Work?
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Bottom Layer
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You must create a solid foundation to pave a driveway. Gravel is placed in the area to be paved, 2 to 9 inches deep. Too thin and the pavement can crumble under the weight of a car. Pack the gravel down and level it off making sure that the gravel is slightly higher in the middle so that rain water will run off the sides of the drive and not pool in the middle.
Pouring the Asphalt
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Asphalt is a combination of sand, rocks and asphalt cement in a liquid state. The cement is created from petroleum and the process of heating brings it to the liquid state. The rock and sand is poured over the rock base with the liquid asphalt and then is rolled flat with a weighted roller.
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Making it Stronger
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For a more durable, weather-resistant driveway, it is best to use the chip seal process. It is basically the same process except 30 percent of the liquid asphalt is replaced with water. During the pouring and spreading stage, the water evaporates, creating a stronger asphalt. Before cooling, small gravel is spread over the top and pressed in giving the driveway an outer coating that will not wear down easily.
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