Asphalt Driveway Paving in Athens, GA

Asphalt driveway paving in the Athens area is really a grading and drainage job with a layer of asphalt on top. Under most lawns here is red Piedmont clay, and most lots have at least some slope. When an Athens driveway ruts in the wheel paths, breaks into alligator cracks on the low side or crumbles where the lawn drops away, the cause is almost always a weak base, soft clay left in place or runoff that has nowhere to go. A new driveway has to fix those causes, not just cover them.

Signs it is time to replace

• Cracks that join into a web or alligator-skin pattern
• Ruts or dips that hold water after a storm
• Potholes that come back after patching
• Edges breaking off into the yard, especially on the downhill side
• More patch than original surface

A few isolated cracks can be sealed, and a small failed area can be cut out and patched. When those problems cover much of the driveway, replacement usually costs less over time than repairing the same areas again and again.

Undercutting soft clay

Clay that is dry and compacted can carry a driveway. Clay that stays wet cannot, and Athens averages close to 49 inches of rain a year. After the old surface is removed, we proof the subgrade and look for areas that pump or move. Soft or organic material is dug out and replaced with compacted crushed stone. Then the base is built up and compacted in lifts to the depth in your quote. HomeGuide describes a typical residential section as 2 to 3 inches of compacted asphalt over 6 to 8 inches of gravel base, and 3 to 4 inches over 8 to 10 inches of base for heavier vehicles. Driveways that see delivery trucks, boat trailers or a camper get the heavier section.

Slope, crown and edges

On a sloped lot, water runs down the driveway. We shape the surface with a crown or cross slope so it sheds to the sides instead of channeling down the middle, and we make sure the low end does not dump water against the garage slab. Edges are where Georgia driveways fail first, so we compact them, taper them, and backfill with soil so the asphalt is supported rather than hanging in the air. Where a long run crosses a ditch, a driveway pipe may be needed, and if it sits in a public right-of-way, that pipe falls under the county or GDOT permit.

Gravel-to-asphalt conversions

Plenty of homes outside Athens still have gravel or crusher-run driveways. An existing gravel bed can sometimes serve as part of the new base, which helps the budget. We check how much stone is still there, how much has been pushed into the clay, and whether the grade works, then regrade, add stone where needed and pave.

After paving

Fresh asphalt stays soft through its first summer. Keep cars off it for the time we give you, avoid turning the wheel while parked, and put a board under kickstands and trailer jacks. Sealcoating waits three to six months while the asphalt cures.