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New Asphalt Driveway Installation in Montgomery, AL
Paving a driveway for the first time, or replacing gravel with asphalt? Here is how a properly built asphalt driveway goes together and what to ask before anyone starts work.
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Why Asphalt
Asphalt is a popular driveway surface in the South. It goes down in a day, handles heat and traffic well when installed correctly, can be repaired and resurfaced, and is black, which many homeowners like for curb appeal. It is a flexible pavement, which means it moves a little with the ground rather than cracking at every joint the way rigid pavement can.
Asphalt is also unforgiving of bad preparation. It sits on top of what is below it, and a soft or wet subgrade will show through the surface in a few seasons. Most failed driveways fail from the bottom up.
The Steps of a Proper Installation
- Layout and marking. The company confirms the width, length, edges, turnaround and where the driveway meets the street or apron, and checks where water will go.
- Excavation. Grass, topsoil, roots and soft material are removed to the planned depth. Organic soil does not belong under pavement.
- Subgrade preparation. The exposed soil is graded and compacted. Soft spots are dug out and replaced, and in some cases a stabilizing layer is recommended.
- Aggregate base. Crushed stone is placed in layers and compacted to create a firm, free-draining platform. A good base is the single biggest factor in how long the driveway lasts.
- Hot mix asphalt. The asphalt arrives hot from the plant and is placed with a paver or by hand in tight spots. Delivery time matters because the mix has to be compacted before it cools.
- Compaction. A roller compacts the mix to density. Edges, joints and transitions need attention, since they are where driveways commonly start to fail.
- Finish and clean-up. Edges are backfilled, the apron joins are checked and the site is cleaned.
Thickness: Ask About Compacted Thickness
Different sources recommend different thicknesses, and the right number depends on your traffic, soil and base. The important point is to compare compacted thickness, not loose thickness. Hot mix compresses when it is rolled, and the finished layer is thinner than the material as it was laid. A paving industry guide linked to the Asphalt Institute advises that a contract should specify compacted thickness.
Heavier use, such as trucks, trailers, RVs or a delivery route, calls for more structure than a family car does. Tell the company what will drive on it.
Drainage and Shape
A driveway should shed water rather than hold it. Companies build in a crown or a cross slope so water runs to the edges, and guidance commonly cites about a quarter inch of fall per foot. Water that stands on asphalt softens the base below and speeds cracking and potholes.
- Where does water run off, and where does it end up?
- Is there a low spot where water will collect?
- Does water from the roof or the yard run onto the driveway?
- Do culverts, swales or edge drains need work?
Local Factors in the Montgomery Area
Alabama Extension describes the Montgomery, Prattville and Wetumpka area as a mix of sandy and loamy uplands, floodplain soils and clayey Black Belt prairie soils. The clayey soils drain slowly, swell in wet weather and shrink in dry weather, forming large cracks. Auburn University research on a west Alabama road built over expansive clay found that swings in subgrade moisture caused heavy pavement damage and tested remedies such as better drainage, moisture barriers, lime stabilization and paved shoulders.
You do not need a highway-scale fix for a driveway, but the lesson applies: on clay, drainage and subgrade preparation matter even more. Ask the company what it sees in your soil and how it plans to deal with it. Heat matters too, with Montgomery averaging about 78 days a year at 90 degrees or higher by the long-term norm. New asphalt stays soft longer in hot weather.
After the Paving Is Done
- Stay off the driveway for as long as the company tells you, which is usually a few days or more in heat.
- Avoid turning the wheels while stopped, and do not park a heavy vehicle or kickstand in one spot during the first hot months.
- Keep edges supported by adding soil along the sides.
- Do not use harsh chemicals or let fuel and oil sit on the surface.
- Ask when to sealcoat. Many suppliers advise waiting several months for fresh asphalt to cure before sealing.
Read our cost factors guide for what changes the scope of a job, and request a quote when you are ready.
Common Questions
What is under a good asphalt driveway?
A compacted crushed stone base over prepared subgrade, with soft or organic soil removed. The base provides support and drainage for the asphalt on top.
Why does compacted thickness matter?
Hot mix asphalt compresses when it is rolled, so the finished layer is thinner than the loose material laid down. A proposal should state the thickness after compaction.
When can I sealcoat a new asphalt driveway?
Many suppliers advise waiting several months so the asphalt can cure first. Ask your company for its recommendation.
Nearby Communities
We route requests from Montgomery and the surrounding area. Pick your town, or see the full service area list.
Ready for a Driveway You Will Like Coming Home To?
Call or send a request. We will route it to an independent, insured local company that paves driveways in the Montgomery area.