Asphalt Driveways in Mesquite, TX

Asphalt driveways in Mesquite fail in a familiar way. First a crack opens along one edge in a dry summer. Then water finds it, soaks the clay underneath, and the next freeze or the next wet spring lifts that side. A few years later the tire paths are a web of alligator cracks. Nearly every time, the cause is underneath: a thin base, clay that was never removed where it went soft, or water that runs off the drive and into the ground beside it.

Signs it is time to replace

• Alligator cracking across the tire paths
• Edges broken off into the grass
• A dip near the garage or the street that holds water
• Potholes that return after every patch
• Large areas of old patches

HomeGuide suggests replacement when cracking covers roughly 60 to 70 percent or more of a driveway, when there are several potholes, or when the pavement is past 20 to 30 years old. A few cracks and a gray surface usually mean sealing, not replacement.

Building the base for clay

We remove the old surface and look at what is underneath. Wet, soft clay comes out and is replaced with crushed stone. Then the base is spread and compacted in layers to the depth written in your bid, with 6 to 8 inches as a typical residential figure and more where trucks, trailers or RVs park. A thicker, well-compacted base spreads the load across the clay and bridges small amounts of seasonal movement.

Edges and runoff

Most Mesquite driveways meet the lawn without a curb, so the edge is unsupported. We compact the base out past the edge of the asphalt and taper the asphalt down so it does not break off. We also look at downspouts, sprinklers and flower beds that keep the clay beside the drive wet, and point out simple fixes like extending a downspout.

At the garage and the street

The new driveway has to meet the garage slab without a lip and meet the street apron so water keeps moving. Many Mesquite homes have concrete aprons at the curb; we tie the asphalt to them cleanly. If your project changes the curb cut or the approach, it needs a permit from the city, and we confirm the right type with Building Inspection first.

Paving day and after

Hot-mix is placed with a paver where access allows and compacted with a roller while it is still hot. In summer we pave early. Keep cars off for a few days and heavy vehicles longer, avoid turning the wheels while parked during the first summer, and plan the first sealcoat 3 to 6 months later.