Asphalt is a good choice for a driveway. However, asphalt starts to look ugly when it gets old. That's because the binder that holds the aggregate together dries out due to UV exposure. This makes your driveway bleached out. By then, your driveway may also have some cracks in it. You may wonder if repairs are possible or if you need a new driveway. The answer depends on the condition of the asphalt. In some cases, resurfacing is the best option. Here's how a residential asphalt paving contractor improves your driveway with resurfacing. 

Resurfacing Puts New Asphalt Down

Resurfacing is more affordable than getting a new driveway, yet once your driveway has been resurfaced, it looks like new. The old driveway isn't torn out first. The asphalt paving contractor might make repairs to areas that have bad damage, such as deep potholes, but the old driveway can stay and act as a base for the new asphalt.

A Small Part Of The Old Driveway Is Milled Off

One of the steps involved in resurfacing is to mill off the top of the old asphalt. The paving contractor does this so when the new asphalt is applied, the driveway won't be higher than the old driveway and be a trip hazard. Milling also removes surface scratches and other minor imperfections. The contractor mills off the exact height needed to equal the height of the new asphalt that will be poured on.

New Asphalt Is Spread On

The next major step in resurfacing is to spread new asphalt over your old driveway. This repairs driveway damage and returns your driveway to a rich, black color. Resurfacing is only possible if your driveway doesn't have too much damage and if there are no problems with the soil base underneath the asphalt. Resurfacing does more than sealcoating and less than a driveway replacement. It's often the ideal solution when you want to restore the appearance of your driveway, but don't want to replace it.

It will take the asphalt time to cure, so stay off of the asphalt as long as the residential asphalt paving contractor instructs you to. Being inconvenienced by not being able to park on your driveway now pays off later in a smooth finish once the asphalt is dry.

Your restored driveway should last for several years. At the end of that time, you may need to replace your driveway or have more repairs done. If you keep up with repairs and sealcoating, the new asphalt will have the longest life possible.

Contact a local residential asphalt paving service to learn more.