Concrete is a great base material because it is stable and allows for excellent compaction of the asphalt above.
Can asphalt be laid over concrete driveway.
Asphalt is easier to maintain.
It s a cheaper alternative to asphalt but less common than concrete or pavers when it comes to picking materials.
If you need to upgrade your driveway in a hurry then asphalt is your wisest option.
One positive aspect of installing blacktop over concrete is the concrete provides a firm base for the flexible asphalt paving.
You can complete asphalt driveways in a short amount of time often under three days.
In fact many miles of concrete roads are paved over with asphalt every year.
However you will be taking a risk that the concrete underneath will after a period of years heave and move under the asphalt cracking or breaking the surface.
Before concrete installation begins the asphalt is inspected and repaired as needed.
From time to time you ll find concrete streets and driveways that have an asphalt overlay on them.
Asphalt can be installed on top of concrete.
In addition you do have an alternative paving method that may surprise you.
Does concrete provide a solid base.
The texture is a bit rougher because it is made up of a combination of asphalt and stone.
So yes pouring asphalt over concrete may look good at first but there are bound to be troubles over time.
Nevertheless it is possible that your drive may last for a long time without this happening.
Asphalt works as a driveway base under concrete only when it is strong stable and at least 2 to 3 inches thick.
It will however require a little more maintenance than a typical asphalt overlay.
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 is safe to pave asphalt over concrete.
Blacktop can be successfully installed over concrete.
The truth about asphalt over concrete.
An asphalt overlay is cheaper to install than replacing concrete and can provide a smooth ride over deteriorating concrete.
Concrete driveways take nearly twice as long to install and the concrete has to set or cure for up to a week before you can park on the drive.
Concrete is poured with expansion joints that allow room for the pavement to expand in hot weather.
Holes or cracks with depth of 2 inches or more require filling before concrete overlay is applied.
But there are issues as you might expect.
By removing the asphalt you could.
The problem won t so much be that of the concrete not adhering to the asphalt but rather the weight of the concrete on the asphalt causing the driveway to sink.
Asphalt driveways that are paved over an appropriately compacted subbase will always be superior to asphalt that is laid over an unstable base or concrete that is prone to shifting and expansion.
It just doesn t make fiscal sense to do it as that driveway will need a lot more work in the near future.