Repaving the Driveway

Make sure to think about how you will transport your materials.

Repaving a driveway is a process that requires special construction tools and a good deal of know-how, but it is something you can do yourself. You can rent tools that you do not have, or hire a professional to do certain parts of the process. In either scenario, repaving the driveway will require you to remove the old pavement, which can be recycled, and replace it with the new, a mixture of asphalt, cement and gravel.

Things You'll Need

• Sledgehammer or jackhammer
• Boundary markings
• Gravel and crushed gravel
• Asphalt or asphalt mix
• Liquid cement
• Gravel spreader
• Drum roller

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Instructions

1. Remove the old pavement using a sledgehammer or jackhammer, or hire someone to do so.

2. Mark the boundaries of the driveway to be repaved.

3. Spread 2 to 8 inches of gravel on the driveway.

4. Mix or buy mixed asphalt and mix it with liquid cement. Make sure to follow manufacturer instructions in both cases.

5. Spread the asphalt evenly over the driveway using an asphalt spreader or another flat tool.

6. Spread crushed gravel over the asphalt, preferably using a gravel spreader, though this can be done by hand. Roll the gravel into the asphalt using a drum roller.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure to give the driveway enough time to dry, preferably by cordoning off the area.

• If you do not spread the crushed gravel at the end, the driveway will not have a chip seal to protect it from wear and tear.

References

• The Housing Forum: How to Pave a Driveway?
• Depave: How to Depave

Resources

• National Asphalt Pavement Association: Mix Type Selection