Pavers for driveway

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swimmer_spe

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I currently have an asphalt driveway. I plan to redo it with standard pavers. Is there any reason I cannot just remove the old asphalt and then lay down the pavers without digging out the old stuff under the asphalt?
 
So, you don't know what the base material is, and you're asking if it's ok?
 
So, you don't know what the base material is, and you're asking if it's ok?

Yup.

Basically, when I pull the asphalt up, what should be there that I can just leave it and use it? What shouldn't I leave there?
 
Do you know anyone with a skidsteer that would come help?

No, this would all be done by hand. That is why if I don't leave it, I will have to do a lot of work to get rid of it. So, it may not be ideal, but in this neighbourhod, it still would be good.
 
Ask a local paving contractor, who will be familiar with the soils. what they use for base.
 
If the asphalt is all settled and broken up, the base probably isn't too good and the pavers will end up moving a lot over time. If the asphalt is generally in good shape and you are just replacing it for asthetics it might be fine. I would rent a compactor and pack it all down once the asphalt is up.
 
You can rent a jackhammer, skid steer or a small backhoe and loader combination at most rental places. I have rented them a few times for projects like this. The big stuff they do require you have a ¾ ton truck to pull it yourself or they will bring it over for a small fee.


Then if you don’t have a low area you want filled in you will have to rent a dumpster and pay for it to be disposed of.


We have no idea of the condition of what you have now or what pavers you plan on laying. Maybe you could bed them right on top of what you have now and then build up around the edges. I laid two brick yard paths that way putting the bricks straight over the grass. It has been a couple years and they look like they were set in the ground now.


When I was a kid a lot of driveways were just 2 strips of pavers with grass in the center. I always thought they looked nice and did the job. Today that would be a “Green” solution.
:D
 
You need a good base, obviously, or the pavers will move. Just an FYI, I'm on the committee to rebuild our downtown area. They (the engineering firm) said the best new way to lay pavers is to pour a concrete slab, with aeration/drain holes, then a thin layer of sand to set the pavers. That way they never tip or sink even in high traffic areas. I don't know what your budget is, but this would be a good low maintenance alternative.
I have pavers leading to the front entrance of our home. They've been there for about 28 years now, with just foot traffic. They're in need of re-leveling. I'm thinking of going with the concrete base when I redo it.
 
If the asphalt is all settled and broken up, the base probably isn't too good and the pavers will end up moving a lot over time. If the asphalt is generally in good shape and you are just replacing it for asthetics it might be fine. I would rent a compactor and pack it all down once the asphalt is up.

The main reason I am replacing it is there used to be a shed in part of it. So, I either asphalt where the shed is, or redo my driveway. Yes, it is ld, and there are cracks, but it isn't too bad.

You need a good base, obviously, or the pavers will move. Just an FYI, I'm on the committee to rebuild our downtown area. They (the engineering firm) said the best new way to lay pavers is to pour a concrete slab, with aeration/drain holes, then a thin layer of sand to set the pavers. That way they never tip or sink even in high traffic areas. I don't know what your budget is, but this would be a good low maintenance alternative.
I have pavers leading to the front entrance of our home. They've been there for about 28 years now, with just foot traffic. They're in need of re-leveling. I'm thinking of going with the concrete base when I redo it.

Driveway, not street. My budget is as small as I can be. Also, I am selling in a few years, so in the end, as long as it looks nice, I am good with that.
 
I learned a lot when I had to pave my driveway the first time, hope that helps!
 
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If you have chipmunks around, they love to tunnel under pavers.

Take away any bird feeders.

Trap the chipmunks.

Or put out bait stations designed for rats, with peanut butter poison bait inside.
Chain or stake them down, or larger animals will take them away.
 

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