Can Asphalt Be Laid Over Concrete

When installing pavers over existing concrete or asphalt there are three primary installation options.

Can asphalt be laid over concrete.

Well the answer is yes. An asphalt overlay is cheaper to install than replacing concrete and can provide a smooth ride over deteriorating concrete. Blacktop or asphalt installation over concrete can be very successful. Pouring asphalt over concrete is bad for the longevity of your driveway so yes pouring asphalt over concrete may look good at first but there are bound to be troubles over time.

Concrete is a great base material because it is stable and allows for excellent compaction of the asphalt above. It is safe to pave asphalt over concrete. During the winter that moisture freezes and continues to break the concrete down. The answer to the extremely common question can i lay new asphalt over old concrete is yes you can but we discourage it.

Asphalt works as a driveway base under concrete only when it is strong stable and at least 2 to 3 inches thick. Asphalt driveways that are paved over an appropriately compacted subbase will always be superior to asphalt that is laid over an unstable base or concrete that is prone to shifting and expansion. So pouring asphalt over concrete will result in cracks in the asphalt anywhere that the concrete moves beneath it. It just doesn t make fiscal sense to do it as that driveway will need a lot more work in the near future.

It s a cheaper alternative to asphalt but less common than concrete or pavers when it comes to picking materials. The texture is a bit rougher because it is made up of a combination of asphalt and stone. Holes or cracks with depth of 2 inches or more require filling before concrete overlay is applied. Adversely asphalt is a monolithic slab possessing both solid and liquid qualities and though it has movement of its own it moves differently than concrete.

While it is safe to pave asphalt over concrete there are several reasons why we do not recommend this method. The process for this is a lot easier where the asphalt gets laid out and then stones are mixed in to finish off the surface. If you ve been thinking about updating your driveway or parking lot you might be wondering if asphalt can be paved right over the top of the concrete. Concrete is poured with expansion joints that allow room for the pavement to expand in hot weather.

Before concrete installation begins the asphalt is inspected and repaired as needed. Under the right circumstances it is possible to lay pavers over existing asphalt or concrete to simplify the project and reduce cost. Blacktop over concrete is not a great idea. It will however require a little more maintenance than a typical asphalt overlay.