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A gravel driveway gets the job done, but you want to know how to make a gravel driveway look nice. Can you blacktop over gravel? It’s more of a straightforward process than what you may think.
In short, yes, you can blacktop over gravel. To convert a gravel driveway to asphalt, there are a few steps that need to be followed, but the project can be completed relatively easily.
After dealing with sinkholes, dust, dirt, and an all-around mess with your gravel driveway, you are trying to figure out how to make a gravel driveway solid. Your best bet to convert gravel driveway to asphalt is going to be calling in a professional contractor. They know all the appropriate steps and how to answer the specifics about whether can you blacktop over gravel by looking at your asphalt driveway.
They will come in and check the grade and do a water runoff evaluation. Water is the biggest problem in asphalt breaking down prematurely. It is essential when sealcoating over gravel to have the appropriate grade so that the water doesn't pool on the surface.
Next, a sub-base will be put down, creating a plane that is stable enough to hold the blacktop that’s going on top of it. When that settles in, your contractor will pour the final layer to make your gravel driveway solid. Once it’s been installed, your job is to get regular maintenance like crack filling, pothole repairs, and sealcoating to keep it from cracking or breaking.
If you’ve never heard of a tar-and-chip driveway, you’re not alone. Even though you haven’t heard the name before, there’s a good chance that you’ve driven on a surface made this way. It’s a cheaper alternative to asphalt but less common than concrete or pavers when it comes to picking materials. The texture is a bit rougher because it is made up of a combination of asphalt and stone.
The process for this is a lot easier, where the asphalt gets laid out, and then stones are mixed in to finish off the surface. It costs about twice as much as gravel alone, but it’s how to make a gravel driveway look nice without spending as much money as it would for other kinds of paving materials.
When you already have a gravel driveway and you don’t have a lot of money to spend to make your property look nice, you can try this do-it-yourself method with just a few materials. First, go and see how much gravel you have, along with loose dirt. Then, head to the supply store to buy what you need to make your driveway even. The salesperson at the place you go for materials will know how to help you.
When you get your materials home, mix the gravel and the dirt. It’s best to do this after a rainstorm when everything is wet. Scrape the surface of the driveway to level it out and let it dry. Your path will not only look better, but it will be smoother to drive on as well. This information is provided by our team at TM Asphalt Paving Midland!
