When you think about paving driveways, car parks, or roads, asphalt tends to be a popular choice. And for good reason—it's durable, cost-effective, and leaves a clean, sleek finish.
But if you’re considering an asphalt project, you might be wondering: what actually goes into the process?
Understanding how things go from start to finish can make the whole experience much smoother. Let’s walk through what to expect when you work with Northern Asphalt, so you know how we ensure a long-lasting result.
Step 1: Getting Started with Planning
It all starts with a conversation. We’ll come out to your site, look around, and figure out what you need. Maybe you’re looking for a new driveway, or maybe you’ve got a whole car park that needs attention. We consider everything: the size and shape of your space, how much traffic it’ll get, what kind of drainage it needs, and even what look you’re going for.
Key Considerations: The area’s size and layout, the purpose (whether it’s a driveway, car park, or road), and making sure water drains properly so you don’t end up with puddles or erosion.
Step 2: Preparing the Site
Site prep is a big deal. A clean, well-graded surface makes all the difference. If there’s old asphalt or concrete that needs to go, we’ll take care of that. Then, we set up a strong sub-base—this is basically the foundation that supports everything above it.
The Sub-Base Layer: Crushed aggregate goes down to give a stable foundation, keeping the asphalt from shifting as the weather changes.
Grading and Slope: Proper grading makes sure water flows away from the pavement, avoiding future damage. We calculate the slope carefully to get the best drainage possible.
Step 3: Laying the Binder Layer
The binder layer is like the middle layer of a sandwich, sitting between the sub-base and the asphalt surface. It adds strength and makes sure your pavement can handle traffic and weather. This layer uses larger aggregate mixed with oil for a strong, supportive base.
Why It’s Important: A solid binder layer helps your asphalt last longer and prevents cracks and other damage.
Step 4: Putting Down the Asphalt Surface
Now comes the part most people recognize—the smooth, black finish. This layer uses a mix of smaller aggregate, sand, and oil, creating that familiar sleek look while ensuring durability.
How We Apply It: The asphalt mixture is laid evenly over the binder layer using special paving machines, which help keep the thickness and smoothness consistent. We make sure it’s levelled and compacted to perfection.
Timing and Temperature Matter: Asphalt needs to be laid down at just the right temperature, so it bonds well and stays durable. We keep an eye on weather and temperature to make sure the installation is flawless.
Step 5: Compacting for a Smooth Finish
Once the asphalt is laid, we press it down using heavy rollers. Compaction is key to making sure the surface is dense, smooth, and long-lasting.
Why Compacting Matters: Proper compaction improves the lifespan of the pavement, enhances smoothness, and ensures the asphalt bonds correctly to the layers beneath.
Step 6: Quality Checks and Final Touches
After the compacting is done, we don’t just walk away. We carefully inspect the whole surface, looking for any issues or imperfections. We make sure the slope and drainage are just right, and the edges get sealed to protect against water.
Cleaning Up: Finally, we clean up the site, leaving everything looking pristine.
Step 7: Letting It Cure and Settle
Once everything’s in place, your new asphalt needs time to cure. While you can walk or drive on it after about 24 hours, it’s best to give it a couple of days to fully harden.
Aftercare Tips: Try to avoid sharp turns and heavy loads for the first few days, and routine inspections and cleaning will help maintain the surface over time.
Why Go with Northern Asphalt?
When you choose Northern Asphalt, you’re getting a team that takes pride in every step of the process. From consultation to completion, we use top-grade materials, modern equipment, and proven techniques to ensure your pavement lasts.
What Sets Us Apart: Our experienced team knows the ins and outs of any paving project. We focus on customer satisfaction and use only the best materials and methods to make sure you get a high-quality result.
Wrapping It Up
Understanding how asphalt paving works can really help you prepare for your project. From the initial planning and site prep to the final compaction and finishing touches, Northern Asphalt is here to make sure everything’s done right, for a surface that’s smooth, durable, and ready for whatever comes next.
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