6 Things to Consider For Road and Driveway Construction or Repair

Your driveway is the first thing most people see when they come to your home or business. An attractive driveway with curb appeal says a lot about the care you put into your property. When planning for driveway construction or repair, it’s important to pay attention to several factors that relate to both design and function. Here are a few things to consider when installing or repairing a new road or driveway: 

1. Choose a Professional, Trusted Contractor 

Hiring a professional contractor is essential in any driveway repair, repaving, or construction process. It’s important to avoid door-to-door contractors with quotes on hand or ‘extra asphalt’ or sealant. Oftentimes, offering a price on the spot indicates less experience, and you could end up paying for it in the long run. Instead, seek a reputable asphalt company like Geaux Pro Outdoors with strict specifications, procedures, and installation techniques to ensure top-quality results. A trusted contractor will have expertise in asphalt paving while maintaining necessary earthworks applications to provide the highest-quality road or driveway.  

What is Earthworks? 

Earthworks is the term used to describe the digging, moving and shaping of soil that takes place during the construction of a roadway. The earthworks process can be broken down into three steps:

• Excavation: Excavating is the first step in earthworks. During this step, soil is removed from an area in order to create space for the new roadway. The amount of earth that must be removed depends on what type of system will be used to line the sides of the road with concrete.
• Material Movement: Material movement is when you move earth from one place to another place. In this step, excavated dirt and other materials are moved by machinery to designated locations on site where it can be placed back into place as fill material for embankments around roads or other structures.
• Formwork: Formwork refers to any temporary structure used during construction that holds concrete or asphalt until it hardens enough for traffic loads without breaking apart under pressure from vehicles passing over top surface area located between two raised edges called curbstones which are meant for pedestrians but not vehicles because they are not wide enough to support the weight of a vehicle. Curbstones are separated from each other by a strip of asphalt called a gutter which collects rainwater and directs it away from the road.

Earthworks are an important component of any roadway construction project. Earthworks are what you see when you look at the ground at the side of the road—they’re the embankments, berms, and ditches that keep water from flowing into your driveway or washing away the soil beneath your driveway.

2. Placement and Design of Driveway or Road

An added benefit of working with reputable asphalt professionals is that they can also help preserve and enhance the natural aesthetics of your landscape. Certified contractors will strategically design the look while maintaining your home’s pre-existing terrain and landscape including trees, or rock formations. Keeping the driveway some distance from deep-rooted trees and shrubs will further help prevent future penetrations and cracks in the asphalt as the two compete for space.

3. Width and Thickness of Asphalt Paving 

The State of Mississippi issues specific guidelines pertaining to acceptable width and thickness levels of asphalt pavement. Within the industry, a single car driveway is recommended to be at least 8 feet wide, with 10 feet being preferable. Two-car driveways should be a minimum of 12 feet, but 20 is best for opening car doors comfortably.

You’ll want to make sure that any asphalt thickness levels agreed to are of minimum compacted thicknesses, as this could change or vary during the course of driveway paving and repair. Before signing a contract, make sure your contractor has discussed the options and reasoning behind their decision. 

4. Subgrade Surface Preparation

The subgrade portion of the installation is a vital component of any new driveway and serves as the platform for your asphalt. Beyond the proper selection of materials, your contractor must further compact, grade, and treat the subgrade with a soil sterilizer to prevent future vegetation growth. This is when your skilled contractor will test the entire driveway area for any ‘soft spots’ and will resolve them before continuing with the asphalt overlay procedure.

5. Proper Road or Driveway Drainage 

Proper drainage is critical when installing new driveways or roadways. Drainage helps ensure the quality of life of your paved structure. Its primary purpose is to help provide control over the movement of water and carry it away from places where it can cause damage or flooding. Drainage assists in keeping precipitation and runoff from entering and filling cracks of pavement.

Driveways with poor drainage have a shorter lifespan and require more frequent maintenance and repairs due to standing water which compromises the materials and integrity of asphalt installations. Over time these permeations will result in cracks and holes that require driveway repairs far too soon. Even on flat areas, a driveway requires at least a two percent slope and a crown of at least a quarter-inch per foot for proper drainage. 

6. Pavement Sealing 

Sealcoating asphalt in your driveway is recommended within the first year of installation and is essential to maintaining an attractive driveway for years to come. Sealcoats reduce exposure to US rays and oxidations while giving the driveway a brand new look. Sealcoating also offers a level of oil and gas resistance, making the asphalt easier to clean.

The flexibility of your asphalt is increased with periodic sealcoating and prevents cracks.
 If your home or business already has an asphalt driveway in place and it shows signs of wear and tear, sealcoating, overlaying or completely removing and replacing may be in order. Only reputable, driveway engineer experts who will evaluate subgrade surface and drainage and execute construction or repair with a focus on quality and detail should complete these processes. All driveways age and deteriorate and become a use and safety hazard. The goal with any driveway should be to maximize the life expectancy as much as possible before having to completely remove and replace it. This requires a solid plan with frequent maintenance every 3 to 5 years. 

Road and Driveway Contractors in Brandon, MS | Geaux Pro Outdoors | Professional Excavation Experts 

Geaux Pro Outdoors will help you get the smooth, safe driveways and roadways you need. We specialize in excavation services and we’ll work with you to create the secure groundwork for new driveway and roadway systems. Contact us today to get started!