Asphalt Driveway Paving in Corvallis, OR

Asphalt driveway paving covers new driveways, replacements of worn-out asphalt or concrete, and upgrades from gravel. In Corvallis, most homeowners call because a driveway has cracked into a web of small pieces, sunk where the tires roll, or turned a gravel drive into ruts and puddles every winter. A new driveway fixes the surface; a proper base is what keeps it fixed.

Excavation and soft spots

We remove the old surface and dig to the planned depth. Valley terrace soils are often silty and clay-rich, and when they are wet, they pump under a loaded truck. Any spot that moves is dug out and replaced with rock. Where the subgrade is especially soft, a geotextile separation fabric keeps the base rock from pushing down into the mud over time.

Base rock

HomeGuide's guide calls for 6 to 8 inches of compacted gravel under a typical residential driveway and 8 to 10 inches for heavier vehicles. We place crushed rock in lifts and compact each one with a roller or plate compactor, checking for movement before paving. RV pads, shop approaches and driveways that see delivery trucks get the deeper section.

The asphalt

Residential driveways are usually paved with 2 to 3 inches of compacted hot-mix asphalt; heavier traffic gets 3 to 4 inches. The mix is placed with a paver or by hand in tight spots and rolled immediately while it is hot. Thicker lifts hold heat longer, which gives more time to compact and is one reason we avoid paving thin lifts on cold days.

Drainage

We set a cross slope so rain runs off the driveway rather than along it, and look at where roof downspouts and yard runoff go. Water that soaks in along the pavement edge is a leading cause of edge breakup in the valley. Where needed, we add a gravel shoulder, a swale or a drain to carry water away.

Where your driveway meets the street

Work in the public right-of-way, such as a new or widened driveway approach or curb cut, usually needs a city permit and inspection. Angi lists driveway permits at about $50 to $200. We check the requirements with the city or county before we schedule.

Caring for a new driveway

For the first several weeks, new asphalt is still hardening. Avoid turning the steering wheel while parked, keep trailer tongues, kickstands and jack stands off it, and park in slightly different spots. In a summer heat wave, keep heavy vehicles off longer. After the first year, crack seal as needed and plan the first sealcoat. Most of the long-term care in the valley comes down to keeping water out.