If you are asking if you can put concrete over asphalt, the answer is yes. It’s very common. Why is it done? Sometimes for economic reasons. Sometimes because the homeowner did not want or could not afford to excavate and remove the existing asphalt. For whatever reason, always hire a licensed concrete contractor to do it for you.
Factors to Consider
As we have mentioned already, concrete can be poured over existing asphalt, but there are important considerations when doing so.
1. Drainage
In general, there are some issues to consider before placing concrete over asphalt. The number one issue is drainage. If the existing asphalt slopes towards your house or garage then you need to correct that before placing concrete over it. It will be very difficult if not impossible to correct poor drainage after the concrete is in place.
2. The Condition of the Existing Asphalt Surface
Make sure the existing asphalt surface is in good shape. If there are any cracks, holes, or other forms of deteriorated asphalt, repair them before doing concrete restoration wilmington nc. Areas that are not in good condition will not bond well with new concrete and will cause problems down the road. Also, if your existing driveway is over 15 years old then you should consider removing it and installing a new base before putting down new asphalt or concrete.
3. Thickness of the New Concrete
The thickness of the new concrete poured over the asphalt should be at least 2 inches to ensure a strong bond between the two surfaces. For driveways, 4 inches is recommended. If 2 inches is all that is possible, install wire mesh or rebar through the slab for added strength and support.
4. The Height of your Driveway
Pouring concrete on top of asphalt will add about 4 inches to the height of your driveway. This means you might have to adjust the height of your driveway, garage floor or other structures where your driveway meets them.
5. Decide whether to use a Bonding Adhesive or Install an Overlay
You can put concrete over an existing asphalt driveway using either a bonding adhesive to create a tenacious bond between layers; or by installing an overlay which is typically done with a thinner layer of concrete that has fibers added to it for strength.
If you’re repairing areas where small cracks have formed, use an adhesive-like Quikrete Concrete Bonding Adhesive instead of trying to patch them with concrete mix and water alone. This product is superior at filling in gaps, covering uneven areas, and adhering to existing surfaces like asphalt and concrete.
Conclusion
If your driveway is in desperate need of a makeover and you are thinking of putting a new surface over the top of the old, you will probably want to lay concrete over asphalt. The good news is that this is perfectly possible to do. Concrete and asphalt are both very strong surfaces that can stand up to the elements quite well. In turn, both materials are great for building driveways to last for many years. This is especially true if they are installed by an experienced concrete contractor.
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