In case the driveway in your property needs repair or replacement then you should consider choosing bitumen driveways. You should keep in mind that bitumen and asphalt are not the same as bitumen in the binding agent that binds asphalt with aggregate materials such as sand and gravel.
So how can you keep the bitumen driveway in your property efficient and affordable?
Well, make sure that the driveway contractor you have chosen abides by the following rules –
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You can always resurface the existing driveway to save money
If the existing driveway in your property is still in its usable condition then it would be unwise of you to ask the driveway contractor to replace the whole thing. Instead, to save a few bucks, you can always ask the contractor to resurface the existing driveway and seal the same afterward. In this way, the operational life of the driveway will get a much-needed boost and you will be saving a lot of money in the process.
The contractor should remove the old driveway and lay a fresh base layer
In case the old driveway is unsalvageable, you should ask the contractor to completely remove the old one and before installing a new one, ask the contractor to lay a fresh base layer.
In case you have hired a veteran driveway contractor, chances are high that you wouldn’t even need to bother dictating the process as they will be doing just that as it is the right way to install bitumen driveways. For the best results, make sure that the new base layer is around eight inches thick and the subsequent bitumen + asphalt layer is around 3 – 4 inches thick.
Ensure that the contractor is capable of installing the driveway quickly
It is always a great idea to hire a driveway contractor that has the right tools, appropriate heavy equipment and a learned team that allows the same to install driveways in no time.
In this way, you will be able to save money as delays lead to unnecessary costs – it is as simple as that!
Make sure the contractor is laying the driveway during the warm season
You should hire a driveway contractor only during the summer and spring seasons.
Why?
Well, bitumen mixed with asphalt driveways need warm temperatures to properly settle in. This is the reason why you can see road construction projects take place at full swing during these seasons.
On top of this, the cold temperatures make it difficult for the teams associated with driveway construction to properly operate the equipment and carry out their duties. This leads to delays and even finished driveways that are riddled with imperfections such as unevenness.
In case the driveway in your property has spider cracks all over it and has signs of irreversible deterioration then it is time for you to hire a driveway contractor as a deteriorated driveway does not only look bad, it can also lead to accidents. In the end, apart from following the tips mentioned in this post, be sure to hire a driveway contractor that is reputed and has been in the business for some time.