Your driveway takes a beating out here in La Habra, CA. Between the baking summer heat radiating off the Puente Hills and our occasional heavy winter downpours, Asphalt Paving has to work hard just to stay flat. If you are looking at a crumbling, cracked surface and wondering how to tackle an Asphalt Paving project, Alpha Asphalt Co. will break down what you can actually do yourself and when you need to call in a professional Asphalt Contractor crew.
Before the Equipment Rolls In: Prep Work You Can Handle
You do not need a commercial paver to get your hands dirty before the main event. In fact, doing some of the prep work yourself saves you money and gets you closer to your property. Alpha Asphalt Co. recommends several DIY steps for Asphalt Paving prep:
- Pulling weeds and clearing out old grass edges along the border.
- Hosing down the surface to wash away years of oil stains and dirt so contractors can see what they are working with.
- Marking out sprinkler heads near the driveway so nobody crushes them with a bobcat.
Leave the heavy excavation and grading to the pros, though. If the sub-base is soft or uneven, putting fresh Asphalt Paving on top of it is just throwing money away. Alpha Asphalt Co. uses heavy compactors to make sure that foundation will not shift when you park your cars on it.
During the Pour: Why DIY Asphalt Doesn't Work
You can buy bags of cold patch at the hardware store, and that is fine for filling a quick pothole in a pinch. But if you are thinking about Asphalt Paving for a whole driveway with wheelbarrows and a hand tamper, stop right there.
Asphalt has to stay hot—around 300 degrees—while it gets rolled and compacted. By the time you haul it from the plant, hand-spread it, and try to smooth it out by yourself, it has cooled down too much. You will end up with a rough, crumbly mess that traps water and falls apart in a single season. Alpha Asphalt Co. brings specialized paving machines and heavy steel-wheel rollers to get that smooth, tight finish that sheds water properly.
After the Truck Leaves: Your Curing Homework
Once Alpha Asphalt Co. packs up and leaves, your job is not quite done yet. Asphalt does not dry like paint; it cures by cooling down and pressing together under weight over time. You have to give it some breathing room.
Keep foot traffic off it for the first day, and keep cars parked on the street for at least 3 to 5 days, longer if it is a really hot week. Avoid sharp turns with your steering wheel while stopped on the new asphalt for the first month, because power steering can tear up fresh surfaces real easy. A little patience right now means your Asphalt Paving work will last for 15 to 20 years or more without a hitch. Alpha Asphalt Co. provides Asphalt Contractor services for homes and businesses in La Habra.