The Step-by-Step Guide to Repaving Your Asphalt Driveway Pittsburgh with Collins Paving

A well-maintained driveway not only boosts your home’s curb appeal but also ensures a smooth ride for your vehicle. Over time, however, asphalt driveways can crack, fade, and deteriorate due to weather, wear, and tear—especially in Pittsburgh, where freezing winters and heavy rain can accelerate damage. When repairs no longer cut it, repaving becomes the best solution. Repaving an asphalt driveway is a multi-step process that involves removing the old surface, preparing the base, and laying down fresh asphalt. Here’s a detailed look at how Collins Paving gets it done—from start to finish.

Step 1: Assessing the Driveway

Before any work begins, the team at Collins Paving will stop by to evaluate the condition of your existing driveway. Are there deep cracks, potholes, or signs of drainage issues? Is the base layer still stable, or has it eroded over time? For minor surface damage, a simple overlay (adding a new layer of asphalt over the old) might suffice. However, if the driveway is severely damaged or the base is compromised—a common issue in Pittsburgh’s variable terrain—a full removal and replacement is necessary. This initial inspection ensures the right approach for a durable, long-lasting result.

Step 2: Removing the Old Driveway

Once the prep work is complete, it’s time to say goodbye to the old asphalt. Removal is a labor-intensive process, but it’s essential for creating a solid foundation for the new surface.

• Breaking Up the Asphalt: Collins Paving uses heavy-duty equipment like a CAT skid steer, a John Deere Highlift, jackhammers, and other hand tools to break the old driveway into manageable pieces. This combination ensures efficiency, whether it’s a small residential job or a larger project.
• Hauling Away Debris: The broken asphalt is loaded into trucks and hauled off for recycling or disposal. (Fun fact: asphalt is one of the most recycled materials in the world, often reused in new pavement projects.)
• Inspecting the Base: With the old asphalt gone, the underlying gravel base is exposed. If it’s uneven, eroded, or softened by water damage, repairs are made. This might involve adding fresh gravel, compacting it with precision, and ensuring a proper slope for drainage—a critical step in Pittsburgh’s rainy climate.

Removal can take anywhere from a few hours to a full day, depending on the driveway’s size and condition.

Step 3: Preparing for the New Asphalt

A strong base is the backbone of any quality driveway. After removal, Collins Paving focuses on setting up a stable foundation by grading the base stone and adding new base (2A Modified stone) if needed. This layer is compacted thoroughly to eliminate weak spots, ensuring the new asphalt will stand up to Pittsburgh’s tough weather conditions.

Step 4: Laying the New Asphalt

Now comes the exciting part: pouring the fresh asphalt. This is where your driveway starts to take shape.

• What is Asphalt?: Asphalt is a blend of aggregate (stone, sand, gravel) and a petroleum-based binder. It’s heated to around 300°F at a plant and delivered to the site in a hot, workable state.
• Applying a Binder Layer: First, a strong asphalt binder is laid down to help the surface layer adhere properly. This layer acts as the strength of the driveway, providing a solid bond between the base and the top coat.
• Spreading the Top Asphalt Layer: Our LeeBoy Paver is used to install the hot asphalt. Workers use lutes, rakes, and shovels to fine-tune the edges and ensure a uniform thickness—typically 2-3 inches for residential driveways after compaction.
• Compacting the Surface: A heavy roller machine compacts the asphalt, bonding it to the base and smoothing it out. Multiple passes may be needed to achieve the right density. Timing is critical here—asphalt must be laid and compacted while it’s still hot and pliable.

Step 5: Finishing Up

After the asphalt is compacted, it’s almost done—but not quite ready for traffic.

• Cooling and Curing: The new surface needs time to cool and harden, usually 24-48 hours before you can walk or drive on it. Full curing (when it reaches maximum strength) can take weeks or even months, depending on weather conditions.

How Long Does It Take?

For an average residential driveway in Pittsburgh, the entire process—from removal to new pavement—typically takes 1-3 days, depending on size, weather, and the extent of base repairs. Rain or extreme heat can delay the schedule, as asphalt work requires dry, moderate conditions. Collins Paving plans around these factors to keep your project on track.

Maintenance Tips for Your New Driveway

To keep your freshly paved driveway in top shape:

• Avoid parking heavy vehicles or sharp objects (like motorcycle kickstands) for the first few weeks while it cures.
• Clean spills (oil, gas) promptly to prevent staining.
• Sealcoat every 2-3 years and fill cracks as they appear to protect against Pittsburgh’s freeze-thaw cycles.

Why Repaving Matters

Repaving an asphalt driveway is a worthwhile investment that revitalizes your property and improves functionality. With Collins Paving handling the job, you can trust that every step—from removal to the final roll—is done with expertise and care.

Our sister company, Two Men And A Striper, offers sealcoating, asphalt crack sealing, asphalt patching, line striping and painting and more. Our services can been seen throughout Pittsburgh and surrounding areas including the North Hills, Shaler Township, Cranberry Township, Sewickley, Moon Township, Fox Chapel, Monroeville and more.