Can Asphalt Be Laid Over Concrete

Blacktop over concrete is not a great idea.

Can asphalt be laid over concrete.

When concrete deteriorates it draws and holds moisture. It is safe to pave asphalt over concrete. The answer to the extremely common question can i lay new asphalt over old concrete is yes you can but we discourage it. Holes or cracks with depth of 2 inches or more require filling before concrete overlay is applied.

It just doesn t make fiscal sense to do it as that driveway will need a lot more work in the near future. Before concrete installation begins the asphalt is inspected and repaired as needed. Concrete is poured with expansion joints that allow room for the pavement to expand in hot weather. Under the right circumstances it is possible to lay pavers over existing asphalt or concrete to simplify the project and reduce cost.

But consider an alternative concrete overlays. When installing pavers over existing concrete or asphalt there are three primary installation options. 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. Sand set bituminous set and mortar set.

It will however require a little more maintenance than a typical asphalt overlay. 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. Concrete is a great base material because it is stable and allows for excellent compaction of the asphalt above. Well the answer is yes.

Blacktop or asphalt installation over concrete can be very successful. So pouring asphalt over concrete will result in cracks in the asphalt anywhere that the concrete moves beneath it. An asphalt overlay is cheaper to install than replacing concrete and can provide a smooth ride over deteriorating concrete. 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.

While it is safe to pave asphalt over concrete there are several reasons why we do not recommend this method. It s a cheaper alternative to asphalt but less common than concrete or pavers when it comes to picking materials. 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. During the winter that moisture freezes and continues to break the concrete down.