One of the causes of asphalt break down can be from improper grading when the road was installed which can lead to cracks, potholes, and other damage.
Grading Preparation
There is a lot of work involved in preparing a site for an asphalt driveway. One of the first steps is grading. Unfortunately, most contractors don’t put much effort into this step, which leads to premature cracks/breaks in your driveway.
Capital Paving and Sealcoating understands the importance of grading for the longevity of your driveway. Therefore, we make sure that it’s done right.
Asphalt Grading Explained
Grading is the process of leveling the area for the driveway. This process involves filling, cutting, leveling, and pitching the land. This will ensure the water will run off properly instead of pooling in the driveway.
4 Steps
There are four basic steps involved in grading a site:
Prep Work
The first step is to inspect the area for utility lines that pass through the area to prevent damaging them. The appropriate markings will need to be placed:
- Yellow: natural gas/oil, petroleum, steam, and other gaseous/flammable materials
- Red: electrical lines, cables, conduit, and lightning cables
- Orange: phone/telecommunication lines, alarm/signal lines, fiber optics, or cables/conduits
- Blue: drinking water
- Green: storm/sanitary sewer lines or other drain lines
- Purple: slurry, reclaimed water, and irrigation lines
In addition, drainage to the area will be checked to determine the best way for water to flow. You’ll also want to make sure you purchase extra dirt to fill the area for leveling.
Assess Slope
The next step is to inspect and measure the space and mark the highest and lowest points. You need at least a 2” to 3” drop in all directions from your home.
Determine the Level Grade Line
Once the slope has been determined, we will decide how much leveling and filling is required to even out the space. We will measure both horizontal and vertical distances to determine the grade line.
Filling
The final step is to fill the area with a sub-base to even it out for the asphalt to be laid on top.
Is Grading Necessary?
Yes, when having an asphalt driveway installed, grading is necessary for several reasons:
- It ensures that water drains off your driveway, instead of pooling. This will reduce the risk of potholes forming.
- It improves traction, which means vehicles can move with a smooth grip. This is especially important in Anne Arundel county when your driveway is slick with snow and ice.
- It creates a firm, stable base for the asphalt, increasing the lifespan of your driveway.
Flat vs. Crown Grading
There are two types of grading that can be done for asphalt driveways:
- Flat
- Crown
For shorter, smaller driveways, crown grading is more efficient. However, for long driveways, we recommend flat grading. The reason we advise against crown grading is that vehicles will run on both sides, straddling the hump in the middle. This will cause the driveway to crack over time.
Let Capital Paving and Sealcoating Handle Your Asphalt Paving Needs
If you are in need of asphalt paving services in Anne Arundel County, contact Capital Paving and Sealcoating. We have been in the industry since 1956 and have been serving this area for 20+ years. We can handle your residential and commercial paving projects from start to finish. We also provide a variety of maintenance and repair services to keep your driveway and private roads looking as nice as the day it was installed. Schedule your consultation today.