If you have your own driveway, it needs to be maintained. Whether you’ve seen some recent cracking and need to patch it up or you’re looking to simply give the whole thing a fresh new look, tar and chip driveways are the best in today’s market . And before you start shopping around, it’s worth knowing that if you can tar and chip your own driveway , then you will get the best results for your efforts.
As for the question, can you tar and chip your own driveway, the short answer is no. Tar and chip driveways, or “chipseal” driveways, are typically installed by professionals. But we’ll explain some of the details of this type of driveway and why it might be a good fit for your home.
Hiring an experienced installer to install your driveway is usually the best choice because they have the right equipment and expertise to do it properly. They’ll also ensure that all necessary steps are taken during installation so that there’s little chance of any major problems developing down the road.
What Is a Tar and Chip Driveway?
Tar and chip driveways are a type of asphalt driveway, but they differ from traditional asphalt in two ways:
- The liquid asphalt is applied to the surface in thin layers, rather than poured into a single large trench. This keeps the surface more flexible and allows for easier repairs if necessary.
- The loose stones are called “chips,” rather than being compacted into small gravels like most other kinds of tar-covered roads.
A tar and chip driveway isn’t all that different from an asphalt driveway. It uses hot liquid asphalt covered with a layer of aggregate (stones). The difference is in the application process.
How Is a Tar and Chip Driveway Installed?
First, you’ll need to remove any existing surface material such as grass, weeds or concrete with a jackhammer or other heavy equipment. Then the builder will lay down the foundation for your new driveway—usually crushed stone or gravel—that will act as drainage for any water that may pool at the bottom of your property during rainstorms.
Next comes the hot liquid asphalt, which is heated to a certain temperature and mixed with the aggregate (“stone”) until it forms an even layer about one inch thick on top of your new foundation layer of stones or gravels; this creates a solid road surface that’s stronger and more durable than gravel alone.
With asphalt, the paving contractor lays down several layers of hot pavement material and then compacts it to form a dense, solid surface.
Asphalt, while it may look like tar, is actually a composite material. Asphalt is made up of sand, gravel, stone and petroleum products that are heated in a furnace to approximately 400 degrees Fahrenheit. The mixture is then poured over the ground where it hardens when cooled. In contrast, tar and chip paving uses just one layer of hot liquid asphalt (similar to what’s used for asphalt paving) covered with a layer of crushed stone or gravel.
Why You Should Hire Professionals for Tar and Chip Driveways
You need to know whether or not the driveway has been prepared properly. If the driveway was laid down years ago, it may have cracked or shifted. If this is the case, then you’ll need to pay an expert contractor to come out and fix those issues before they’re able to apply tar and chip. When you’re ready to install your tar and chip driveway it’s best to hire a professional contractor because they’ll do the job right and ensure that it looks good too.
With the challenges of installing a tar and chip driveway, you definitely won’t be able to do this yourself. The best and most practical option is to have it done by professionals.
Are you planning to install a tar and chip driveway in your Dublin home? Simply give us a call at (01) 4851582 | 0852139591 or click here to reach us.
