Have you recently decided you want to invest in an asphalt driveway, but currently have a concrete driveway? It’s possible to lay an asphalt over concrete, but the repercussions could be costly.

Investing in an asphalt driveway means receiving a cost-effective, easy to maintenance and durable driveway. When you lay asphalt over an unstable concrete base, these well-known advantages could fall to the wayside. Here’s a few things to consider before you decide to lay fresh asphalt over concrete.

What’s Underneath the Concrete?

When it comes to asphalt driveways, the foundation underneath should be stable and strong or else your driveway may suffer from premature cracks.

When pouring concrete, a contractor will most likely lay a thick slab with the hopes of creating a more durable driveway. During the process, there’s the possibility they may not have properly prepared the concrete as it should be.

Typically, concrete is poured in individual blocks with expansion joints between each block. If the soil underneath the concrete shifts, these blocks can either move apart or be lifted up. If you see large gaps or have an uneven surface on your concrete, these are definite warning signs, meaning the concrete won’t serve as a solid foundation for your asphalt.

Creating a Solid Foundation and Promoting Longevity

The only real way to know how the ground underneath a concrete driveway is, is to dig it up and see for yourself. Instead of taking the chance and having your asphalt prematurely crack or form holes, it’s better to know sooner than later.

When asphalt is poured over concrete with an unstable base, the expansion joints will start to form cracks. These cracks will also form in your asphalt and can result in expensive repairs that you could have avoided in the first place.

To help with the longevity of your driveway, it’s better to start off fresh. By digging up existing concrete and creating a solid foundation, your asphalt can last longer and require less maintenance.

Reusing Your Old Concrete With The Environment In Mind

If you’re worried about where your old concrete will end up, you don’t have to! Here at Greenway Industries, we pride ourselves on being a green paving company. We are always trying to find the best ways to recycle and reuse whenever we can. That’s why we’ve implemented material recycling where we’ll take your current concrete driveway and reuse it as the base for the next asphalt driveway we lay.

If you aren’t sure about what to do with your existing concrete driveway, you can reach out to our paving experts at Greenway Industries. Call us today at 203-544-4687 for a free estimate!