Asphalt Driveway - Repave or Resurface?

[Devils'Advocate]

I have an asphalt driveway which is in absolutely horrible condition. Teaches me to buy a house in the dead of winter when I couldn't really see the driveway well. Anyhow, a guy came by this week and said he could tear up the existing driveway and repave everything for $3,000. My bank account currently has $400 in it.

By next spring I could come up with the money ... but a colleague at work said I should investigate getting it resurfaced.

Anyone know what resurfacing costs compared to repaving? What are the drawbacks? If I were to go all out and pay for the repaving, how do I keep it from cracking again given the cold harsh Canadian winters?

[BlackArcher101]

Have a picture of it? Resurfacing could work, but it depends on the condition of the existing base and surface.

[Dan02]

Originally Posted by Devils'Advocate

how do I keep it from cracking again given the cold harsh Canadian winters?

Get a concrete driveway?? Apparently they last about 3 times as long.

[Shin Pad]

It depends on what kind of damage is done to the existing driveway. If it has sunk in some places and there are lots of holes in it, it is probably because you don't have sufficient base material (gravel) under it. Or you could just have bad soils conditions. Anyway, if the surface of the driveway is still relatively flat, without any big holes in it, then resurfacing will work. If it is cracked, sinking or uneven, you need to have it redone, as the same problems will occur in a few years if you just have it resurfaced. So, if you need to get it redone, make sure that you have sufficient gravel under the paving (you shouldn't have less than 200 mm under the paving). If the existing gravel thickness is 200 mm, then bump it up another 100 mm or so. Have them provide minimum 65 mm thick asphalt paving (City of Calgary Mix type "B").

Another thing is, if you are parking anything heavier than a normal pick up truck or car on it, you may need more gravel (minimum 300 mm thickness) under the paving and have the paving at least 75 mm thick.

[Sample00]

Give Theo a call, I believe he does concrete work between ball games

[Nufy]

Quotes should be free.

Check out both options ans see what the best bang for $$$ is.

[MoneyGuy]

I used to do concrete work and have done all of my own concrete at my houses. All I know about asphalt is that its lifespan is way less than concrete. I'd pay at least double the price of asphalt for concete, which will essentially last forever. I'd offer to head up your concrete project but am too far away.

[Devils'Advocate]

Originally Posted by Dan02

Get a concrete driveway?? Apparently they last about 3 times as long.

From what I've read concrete costs twice as much. If I don't have $3,000 then I certainly don't have $6,000.

I checked what I have on photobucket and there isn't a good picture of the driveway there. I'll try to take one tomorrow.

It has sunk in places, but the guy that came this week said it could be a bad base but is more likely age given the neighborhood (newer, middle class homes).

[metallicat]

If you're going to get quotes on asphalt, get some quotes on concrete just to see what it costs. It can't hurt, and if you can save up the money, it would be way better than asphalt.

[4X4]

Originally Posted by MoneyGuy

I used to do concrete work and have done all of my own concrete at my houses. All I know about asphalt is that its lifespan is way less than concrete. I'd pay at least double the price of asphalt for concete, which will essentially last forever. I'd offer to head up your concrete project but am too far away.

Re-surfacing is a great idea if you're going to sell next spring. If you're going to stay, do it right, do it once. Concrete.
It doesn't matter how well they rough up the substrate, there'll still be a cold joint (cold joint: something stuck to something similar or the same, but placed at different times). As long as there's a cold joint, the surface of your "new" asphalt driveway will peel and break.

I love the quoted post because I used to do concrete as well. Concrete finishing is an art.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by 4X4

Re-surfacing is a great idea if you're going to sell next spring. If you're going to stay, do it right, do it once. Concrete.

And I have to agree as well. Is the driveway still driveable? Then save up your money and get it done right.

[Ducay]

Originally Posted by Devils'Advocate

My bank account currently has $400 in it.

Shouldn't repaving your driveway be the least of your concerns?

[Devils'Advocate]

Originally Posted by Ducay

Shouldn't repaving your driveway be the least of your concerns?

Why is that?

That had a condescending value to it that I didn't appreciate. Or am I reading that wrong?

[BlackArcher101]

Originally Posted by Ducay

Shouldn't repaving your driveway be the least of your concerns?

What would be a higher concern?

Maybe the OP doesn't have much free cashflow because he/she is socking away any left over cash into retirement investments as early as he/she can in their life. What would be of a higher concern then putting money into your largest investment to protect it?