How to lay asphalt on your garden plot with your own hands?

Every owner of a plot of land sooner or later faces the issue of organizing convenient access to their territory and comfortable movement around it. For example, make a parking area in front of your house or pave paths so as not to stain your shoes with mud in rainy weather. The construction market today offers a wide range of coatings that can be used to solve any similar problem. One of these coatings is asphalt as the most popular and affordable.

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In this article we have prepared recommendations for laying asphalt and applying markings.

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What is asphalt made of?

Before talking about installation, you need to understand what the asphalt pavement consists of. Asphalt is a mixture of bitumen with bulk materials: sand, crushed stone or gravel. Depending on the purpose of the road surface, the percentage of components may vary. For example, there is no point in using crushed stone for a parking area near a house, since it can withstand high pressure, which is necessary for covering public roads and highways. For ordinary paths and car areas, it is recommended to use up to 10% crushed stone due to the absence of a large load on the coating.

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Bitumen

Bitumen refers to tar-like products that are obtained as a result of oil refining. It is a binding component of the asphalt mixture. The amount varies from 2 to 11% depending on the purpose of the road surface. The higher the load, the more bitumen is contained in the asphalt.

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Sand

Sand acts as a fine filler and allows you to evenly distribute the external load on the canvas. When preparing asphalt, only clean sand is used, since the final strength of the asphalt depends on this.

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Crushed stone or gravel

As mentioned above, crushed stone is used to increase the strength of asphalt to external loads. If you plan to move equipment over 5 tons around the site, for example, when organizing the access of trucks to a construction site, then the presence of crushed stone up to 15 mm in the asphalt is a necessary condition. This asphalt will cope well with high tire pressure.

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Asphalt for pedestrian paths uses gravel up to 3-5 mm, which is an excellent shock absorber and filler.

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About the construction of asphalt roads and paths

Asphalt pavement can be made from different materials, but its quality directly depends on what materials were used and how the base was made correctly. For the places where the road will be laid, research and preparation of the structure are carried out, calculations are carried out and design is carried out.

For highways (about paths in the garden below), a standard set of materials is used:

• unpaved canvas;
• geotextile covering;
• layer of sand;
• layer of crushed stone;
• asphalt.

Separately, it should be noted that the crushed stone layer can include its different fractions, and bitumen concrete is laid in several layers at once, and the binder composition is bitumen or bitumen emulsion.

For paths in the garden or near the house, such a set of materials is not always needed. After all, the loads are small, but it is still necessary to prepare the surface for asphalt.

Hot and cold paving of asphalt

The most common method is hot laying, since this method provides a reliable and durable coating that can withstand loads of up to 15 tons without deformation, which cannot be guaranteed by other types of road surfaces. This method is also considered the most cost-effective, if large volumes are taken into account.

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It is worth noting that hot styling technology involves working with a mixture of high temperatures up to 120 ° C, which is quite dangerous in domestic conditions!

High temperature is necessary to prepare a homogeneous mixture, otherwise the reliability of such a coating will be of poor quality. Among the advantages, durability should be noted, due to the high degree of resistance to environmental influences. Among the disadvantages is that in extreme heat, asphalt can become deformed and become environmentally hazardous.

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Cold asphalt, which is a mixture based on polymer-rubber bitumen, is gaining popularity. Mainly used for repairing holes, cracks and potholes on roads, as well as for improving garden plots. It is an environmentally friendly material as it does not contain solvents or plasticizers. The wide temperature range allows its use in extreme heat up to +40 ºС and severe frost down to -20 ºС.

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Below we will look at how to properly lay asphalt with your own hands.

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About landscaping

Any coating has its advantages and disadvantages.
Asphalt is no exception. Its advantage can be considered the ability to use specialized equipment during the installation process. Please note that a concrete structure, for example, is laid only by hand, which is incredibly difficult. The main disadvantage of this artificial material is its strong odor. And all because the mixture contains bitumen, which under the influence of high temperatures begins to emit a pungent odor. This causes some discomfort.

If we talk about asphalt pavement, this process is quite complex. Strict adherence to technology is required. Please note that there are rules for each installation step. If all rules are followed, the finished coating will last for many years. It should also be added that a variety of techniques and equipment are used during the installation process. Therefore, it is not enough to simply attract experienced specialists and study the technology in detail. You must also have a license confirming that the company is authorized to provide the relevant services.

In addition, the contractor must know how to correctly calculate the thickness of the future floor, how to mark and carry out all the necessary work. He is also obliged to guarantee quality. This is very important, because each of us knows perfectly well how domestic companies like to save on this process. As a result, the road surface is destroyed in just one season.

Hot asphalt laying technology

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1. Asphalt must be laid in dry weather. The surface for installation must be prepared in advance. The top layer of earth needs to be removed, about 4-5 cm. In its place, pour and compact first a layer of sand, then fine-grained crushed stone to create a stable cushion.
2. Next, you need to melt the bitumen by placing a metal barrel on a stone base in which the fire will burn. The bitumen needs to be chopped into pieces with an axe. The smaller the pieces, the faster they will melt. It is best to mix with an old shovel, since after laying the asphalt it will become unusable. It is best to carry out all work directly near the laying site so that the asphalt does not have time to cool down during transportation.
3. When the bitumen melts and boils, you need to start adding sand and gravel. You need to add it gradually, then it will be easier to mix this mixture.
4. Then, using a shovel, you need to start spreading the mixture onto the prepared surface. A shovel is perfect for these purposes. To level the asphalt layer, you need to use a wooden mop. To increase the plane of contact, you can nail a board to it.
5. After leveling, you need to use a manual roller for compacting. The drum must be moistened with water! If you don’t have a roller, you can use a vibrating plate or a hand tamper. After finishing the work, the coating must be allowed to sit for at least 6 hours.

The result is a durable coating that can easily withstand a passenger car.

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When can installation be done?

Hot asphalt is sensitive to weather conditions, so the best time for installation is spring and summer. In this case, the air temperature should not be lower than 5 degrees. Laying in the fall is also allowed, but at temperatures above 10 degrees. In winter, warm asphalt can be laid only at temperatures up to 0 degrees and a layer thickness of at least 4 cm. In addition, the mixture must contain surfactants or active mineral powders.

The surface on which asphalt will be laid must be dry and clean. Laying in the presence of puddles is not allowed.

So the hotter it is outside, the better. In principle, it is inconvenient to work in the rain, let alone lay asphalt.

Do-it-yourself cold paving of asphalt

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The technology for laying cold asphalt is much lighter and simpler than hot asphalt. The mixture is already sold ready-made in convenient bags and buckets. For installation you will need the following tools: hand roller, vibrating plate or hand tamper, mop.

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1. First you need to prepare the surface. Remove the top layer of soil 4-5 cm and add a layer of sand, then crushed stone and compact everything well.
2. Pour the first layer of the mixture, level it with a mop and roll it with a hand roller or vibrating plate. If you don’t have these tools, you can get by with a manual tamper. Then you need to pause for 10-15 minutes and lay the second layer in this way. Three layers of asphalt show good strength indicators.
3. After 24 hours the coating is ready for use.

When laying cold asphalt, it is important to compact it well to prevent water from getting into the cracks and then this coating will serve for a long time.

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No. 4. A natural stone

Natural stone is a beautiful, durable but very expensive material

. If funds allow, then such a covering will be an excellent decoration of the territory and will emphasize the status of the owner. The advantages also include a variety of colors and textures of different species, complete environmental friendliness and resistance to precipitation, temperature changes and other negative natural influences.

Among the disadvantages

heavy weight, difficult to transport and lay, expensive, but the price range for stone is wide: sandstone and limestone, for example, are not as expensive as granite or marble.
In winter, a slippery ice film forms on the surface of the stone , which must be constantly removed mechanically, or the heating of the adjacent area must be used to prevent the formation of ice.

Applying markings and signs

Applying lines and marks with thermoplastic or paint will mark the asphalt surface and indicate any necessary warnings. For example, on the site in front of the house you need to mark out parking spaces for cars. Or put a warning sign about the danger for drivers. Thermoplastic is most suitable for these purposes since it is wear-resistant, has good adhesion to asphalt and has a long service life. Thermoplastic must be applied using special equipment, since it is necessary to constantly maintain a high temperature in the boiler and thoroughly mix the plastic mass.

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If it is not possible to use specialized equipment, then the following recommendations must be followed:

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1. The asphalt surface must be dry and clean, then the plastic will adhere securely to the surface.
2. The melting point of plastic is in the range from 140 to 180 ºС. After the plastic has melted, it must be constantly stirred to avoid the appearance of clots.
3. To apply thermoplastic, you need to use ready-made molds that will allow the plastic mass to harden on the asphalt.
4. The cooling time of thermoplastic is only a few minutes.

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We looked at two methods of laying asphalt, thanks to which you can obtain a high-quality and durable coating. The first method is beneficial when paving large areas. And the second is for arranging a household plot. In any case, a properly laid asphalt pavement will withstand heavy loads and will last a very long time.

Positive and negative properties

Advantages of asphalt pavement:

• ability to tolerate temperature changes;
• durability;
• waterproof;
• layer consistency density;
• sufficient resistance to deforming influences.

Comparison of cement concrete and asphalt concrete pavement

Disadvantages of paving the yard:

• at high air temperatures, fumes harmful to the body are released;
• does not have special features to be used as territory design;
• an incorrectly placed layer is quickly destroyed under the influence of frost.

Stage one. excavation work

The first thing we pay attention to is. area that will be prepared for laying asphalt. Do not forget about underground communications, vegetation with root systems and drainage systems. Large roots must be removed, otherwise they will lift the asphalt surface, damaging its integrity. In the place where you need to lay asphalt, remove the top layer of soil. In a small area, you can deal with it using improvised means, making a excavation with a shovel. But paving a large span of road surface requires the use of special equipment. bulldozers, excavators. The thickness of the removed layer may vary. It all depends on the purpose of the asphalted area. If this is a pedestrian path. The depth of the excavation can vary from 10 to 30 centimeters. If this is a carriageway. It is advisable to dig deeper, counting on the passage of trucks. Excess soil must be removed so that it does not wash onto the driveway during rain, does not interfere with transport, and does not clog the drainage system. It is necessary to provide for the installation of a drainage system. The water that appears during precipitation should not wash away the asphalt. We compact the prepared area of ​​land using a roller.

Asphalt repair in the yard

Under the influence of unfavorable factors, dents, cracks and chips may form on the coating. All this can be updated. Cold prepared asphalt is used for the new surface. It can be laid at low temperatures, the quality and strength will not suffer from this. To maintain the integrity of the asphalt, you should not drive onto it with heavy vehicles, especially in the summer heat.

Options for paving old pavement

Related video: How to asphalt a site

Third stage. laying asphalt pavement

Completing this stage requires preparing the asphalt concrete mixture manually or purchasing it at the factory. Let us note in advance that preparing high-quality asphalt at home is extremely difficult. Therefore the best way out. purchase the required amount of bitumen mixture from an asphalt plant or the nearest Avtodor.

The advantages of purchasing factory-made asphalt are obvious:

• Firstly, the consumer receives a high-quality final product, saving time on the production process.
• Secondly, for wholesale orders, a discount and free delivery directly to the site are possible.

If you decide to install the asphalt pavement yourself, it’s worth remembering. The bitumen mixture is laid at a temperature not lower than 5 C in dry weather. Otherwise, the asphalt will lose its quality and it will be impossible to level it well and compact it. There are hot asphalt and cold asphalt. Thus, hot bitumen mixture must be laid immediately after delivery to the site. The faster, the stronger the road surface will be. Cold bitumen mixture is universal, as it can be installed in any season.

General terms and concepts

The rules and requirements for the carriageway of the roadway are regulated simultaneously by several legislative acts:

• GOST R 54401-2011 “Public roads”
• SNiP 3.06.03-85 “Highways”, approved by Decree of the USSR State Construction Committee of August 20, 1985 N 133;
• KT-17.0-10.11-75 “Construction of asphalt concrete pavements”, approved by the Decree of the State Construction Committee of November 10, 1975;
• SNiP 2.05.02-85 and 3.06.03-85 “Highways”, etc.

The article uses the necessary terms and definitions to refer to the processes and materials used in the construction of roads and pedestrian streets.

Asphalt - for covering roads of varying intensity. This is a mixture of cement, crushed stone, sand, mineral powder and polymer components with the addition of bitumen resins as a binding element. It has greater strength and toughness than hot asphalt. The temperature must be controlled: during firing it reaches 200 ° C; during transportation and installation it should not fall below 130 ° C, otherwise the composition will begin to harden and accumulate, making it impossible to level and compact it.

Hot asphalt consists of concrete, crushed stone, natural sand, mineral dust and bitumen. No additives or polymers are added. It heats up to 130°C and can withstand at least 100°C. It is the optimal solution for pedestrian and bicycle loads, allowing it to withstand even short-term loads of several tons.

Asphalt concrete and hot asphalt are laid at a temperature of the lower base not lower than + 5 ° C.

Cold asphalt : all the same components, but with the addition of solvents to dilute the composition. It is recommended for emergency repair of the canvas at low temperatures - not lower than -10 ° C, at the lower base + 5 ° C, so that there are no cracks and the composition does not begin to freeze.

Liquid asphalt - used for pothole repairs, pedestrian and bicycle paths. It is produced with the addition of recycled asphalt granulate in an amount of no more than 10% for repair and construction and no more than 20% for surface leveling.

The main advantages and disadvantages of asphalt pavements

• optimal price-quality ratio due to the low cost of materials used;
• simple asphalt laying technology that allows you to do the work yourself;
• speed of covering even large areas compared to the installation of concrete or prefabricated paving slab structures. Installation is completed in a few hours;
• ease of repair of damaged fragments
• when framing areas, paths, flower beds with small borders, a beautiful and aesthetic appearance of courtyards is obtained;
• waterproof coating
• sufficient strength, reliability and durability when properly executed;
• asphalt paving at the dacha will not allow weeds to grow through the coating;
• the possibility of using specialized technical means;
• ease of maintenance, in the summer it is enough to sweep away the debris with a broom and wash the surface with a regular garden hose, and in the winter it is convenient to remove snow on a flat surface.

• characteristic odors emanating from asphalt in the heat, especially in the first time after paving the site, which is due to the presence of bitumen components that emit unpleasant odors when heated, creating a certain discomfort;
• yard areas are mainly compacted with hand rollers, which does not ensure high strength of the upper layers. As a result, asphalt heated by the sun's rays can become deformed under the weight of heavy vehicles;
• difficulty when it is necessary to deliver small volumes of asphalt mixture to the site for fragmented repairs. Most suppliers may refuse this due to lack of profitability;
• inability to compete in beauty of appearance with expensive coatings.

No. 8. Garden parquet

Garden parquet, also called decking

, is far from the most popular covering for the local area of ​​your own plot, but it can still be used.
Among the types of decking are those that are made from solid wood
, treated with protective agents or temperature, and those that are obtained
from a mass of sawdust and a polymer binder
.
The first one is more suitable for terraces, but composite decking is a more or less suitable material for arranging a yard. Among its main advantages
:

• durability;
• resistance to high humidity and sunlight;
• corrugated anti-slip profile;
• ease of installation;
• quick drying;
• variety of colors and shapes.

Composite decking

, of course, is inferior in appearance and environmental friendliness to natural ones, but requires minimal care and is more resistant to negative environmental factors. This coating will cost slightly more than many analogues.

Composition and types of asphalt concrete

Asphalt concrete is an artificial material obtained by rational selection of mixture components and its compaction after laying. Depending on the incoming components, the ratio of their mass parts and physical characteristics, there are many types of asphalt, divided into brands and types.

The composition of any asphalt concrete includes:

• mineral powders obtained by crushing rocks with a high content of carbon compounds (limestone or other fossilized organic deposits). The high content of such powders gives the material increased viscosity combined with strength. The property of such mixtures to dampen internal vibrations of structures without the formation of cracks in the coating allows the construction of road passages on road bridges. Successfully used for paving roads and sites
• bitumen, contained in most types in small quantities (from 4 to 5%). The exception is cast mixtures containing ≥ 10% bitumen. Bitumen gives the mixture increased fluidity, facilitating its distribution over the coating area, and elasticity after compaction and hardening. The main use of cast asphalt is paving of areas with complex terrain and repairing road surfaces. Increased bitumen content is used for asphalts laid in harsh climatic zones, at low temperatures and the need to open traffic immediately after the completion of a section of road or bridge crossing;
• sand is used in most types of asphalt concrete, the only exception being mixtures with a high gravel content. Natural sands are thoroughly cleaned, while artificial sands, obtained by crushing rocks, are immediately ready for use;
• crushed stone or gravel, which plays the role of a protective component that forms the asphalt concrete frame to absorb significant loads.

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Based on the content of fillers, the following types are distinguished:

• A - from 50 to 60% crushed stone;
• B - 40...50% crushed stone or gravel;
• B - gravel or crushed stone from 30 to 40%;
• G - sand or screenings from crushing ≤ 30%;
• D - content of natural or artificial sands up to 70%.

Depending on the largest sizes of mineral grains in the mixture, they are divided into the following classes:

• coarse-grained first class - ≤ 40 mm. Used for paving highways with heavy traffic of heavy-duty vehicles and other highways of different classes;
• second class - with small grains ≤ 20 mm. Installed on pedestrian streets and squares;
• third - sand mixtures with grains ≤ 10 mm. Small fractions of grains are in close contact, which allows you to create perfectly smooth surfaces. The main purpose is pedestrian sidewalks, garden paths, improvement of courtyard areas and sports grounds.

The second brand is most widely used in asphalting roads, their repair and arrangement of private courtyards with the construction of transport entrances.

Depending on the laying temperature, asphalt mixtures are divided into 2 types:

1. Hot, laid with a temperature of ≥ 110 degrees. The hot mixture is transported by special transport, called Kocher, or in dump trucks with a heated body. If necessary, preparation for asphalting is carried out by softening the base under the influence of high temperatures. After leveling, the mixture is rolled with rollers. The resulting durable coating is most widely used in road work and landscaping of urban and suburban areas;
2. Cold ones, which are placed with temperatures ≥ 5 degrees. When preparing, bitumen with a reduced viscosity is used, which allows the mixture to remain in a loose state for a longer time, and after rolling it hardens faster. Most often, such asphalt concrete is used for pothole repairs, laying on sidewalks and courtyard driveways that are not subject to intense loads.

Any high-quality asphalt concrete can only be made from certified materials, therefore, when ordering, you must require quality certificates and a passport for asphalt concrete.

The following impregnation options are available:

1. Asphalt emulsion. Of all the types, this is the most affordable mixture, but it does not always live up to expectations. Most often used for sections of roads without heavy traffic or sidewalks.
2. Coal tar. A reliable base that also adds aesthetic appeal to the finished coating. Not affected by petroleum products and has a long shelf life.
3. Acrylic polymers. Adding special components to the dough allows you to obtain an elastic and durable coating. It is also possible to change the color, which is used to further decorate the area.

When choosing a finishing layer, it is worth considering not only the financial issue, but also the main goal of the project. The choice of mixture must be based on how intensively the road surface is used.

Creating asphalt pavement is an important process, since the quality and durability of future roads and sidewalks depends on it. The classification of mixtures and the application process are determined by the requirements of GOST and SNIP, as well as the types of road work. In order for the coating to last as long as possible even under heavy load, it is important to choose a reliable manufacturer.

Stages of paving

For laying asphalt, it is recommended to choose dry weather with a positive temperature of ≥ 10 degrees.

The step-by-step procedure includes the following work:

1. On a sheet of graph paper, a diagram of the location of the house, outbuildings, paths to them, the area around the house and the passage for the car is drawn to scale. The roots of growing trees can deform the covering, so it is desirable that the trees are located at a distance of ≥ 2 m from the intended contours.
2. Calculation of material requirements. It is recommended to cover the entire area with geotextiles with an overlap on the walls and cover it with a layer of sand 10 cm thick, crushed stone for the paths will be needed 5 cm thick, for the platform 15 cm, and directly for the driveway 25 cm, the number of enclosing elements is calculated according to the length of the contours, subject to asphalting. Asphalt will be required in the amount of 1 t per 10 m2 with a layer thickness of 5 cm; on driveways it is recommended to lay asphalt in two layers (5 plus 3 cm). The order is made for hot, fine-grained mixtures; sandy ones can be laid on the paths, but they are also hot.
3. Prepare the following tools:
   a shovel for each worker;
4. durable cord;
5. mop-mop made of a meter-wide board with a handle 2.5 m long;
6. a manual rammer, which is a piece of timber or round log with a square metal plate (20 cm side) fixed at the base and a handle in the form of a longitudinal wooden plank nailed on top;
7. manual roller weighing ≥ 100 kg.

To periodically lubricate the tool to prevent hot asphalt concrete from sticking to it, you will need a small amount of diesel fuel.

• Transferring the outlined contours to the terrain with wooden pegs.
• Excavation of soil to the depth of the listed layers with removal of roots of weeds, bushes and trees. The asphalt surface should be level with the surrounding surface of the earth or rise up to 5 cm (it all depends on the terrain and your desire). Base seal.
• Installation of curbs at the same level as the future asphalt concrete or 2...3 cm higher. First, curbs are installed along the edges of the path or area, leveled in height, a cord is pulled along which intermediate elements are laid out. Fixation of curbs is carried out using cement mortar and filling with compacted soil.
• Backfilling with sand, for effective compaction, wetting the sand cushion with water is used, laying geotextiles to reduce the pressing of crushed stone into the sand.
• Laying crushed stone with careful rolling with a roller. Larger fractions are placed downwards, and decluttering is carried out on top with smaller fractions. Compacted crushed stone is poured with bitumen mastic.
• The delivered asphalt is unloaded in separate piles. To prevent it from cooling down, the layout must be done quickly with the assistance of several assistants. Leveling is done using a motor mop. One person begins rolling the surface with a hand roller; to achieve greater effect, a person with a solid build can stand on the roller. With the provided transverse slopes, rolling is carried out from the bottom up. The movement of the roller should be smooth, without jerking. It is important to maintain the same number of passes on all lanes. It is unacceptable to stop the roller on areas that have not frozen to avoid sticking to the coating. In hard-to-reach places, the asphalt is compacted using hand compactors. We must not forget about the need to periodically wet the instruments with diesel fuel. If possible, it is recommended to roll most of the surface with large rollers or vibrating plates, available in specialized organizations. This will significantly increase the strength and quality of the laid coating.
• Finally, you can paint the entire asphalt area with special asphalt paints to obtain the required shades.

At this point the work can be considered completed.

Features of autumn and winter technology

When the temperature tends to zero and goes into minus, cold asphalt reduces plasticity, which can negatively affect the final quality. Therefore, it is recommended to prepare the material as follows:

• Before starting work, the bags of asphalt are kept in a heated room for at least two days. A temperature of at least +10°C will preserve the quality of the composition.
• Before use, cold asphalt is slightly loosened.
• The material itself and the installation site are heated (conveniently, for example, with a gas burner).

Asphalt path in front of the house Source na-dache.pro

The advantage of asphalt paths

Speaking about asphalt, I would immediately like to say that this building material has more disadvantages than advantages in relation to a summer cottage.

Asphalting of a summer cottage

Asphalt pavement has only a few main advantages - low cost, high strength, simple creation technology and versatility. Often asphalt is chosen only because it has the lowest price compared to materials for paving garden paths such as paving slabs, paving stones, decking, natural stone, etc.

The disadvantages of asphalt are very significant factors that affect not only the landscape design of the garden plot. Among the most significant disadvantages are:

1. In hot weather, asphalt evaporates and exposes the human body to harmful substances. In addition, the unpleasant smell itself will not allow you to have a rich rest in the garden, which is what we need.
2. Asphalt coating has practically no decorative ability, so it is not only not suitable for decorating a site, but on the contrary, it will worsen the situation. Asphalt paths practically do not fit into garden styles, which is also very bad. The only exception is colored asphalt, to which various pigments are added, so that the coating can be not only the usual gray color, but also green, pink, blue, etc.
3. If laid poorly, asphalt quickly deteriorates in winter: water gets into the cracks, freezes, and when it freezes, it destroys the coating.
4. During the heat, the asphalt melts.

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As you can see, the disadvantages of asphalt pavement are more significant than the advantages, but despite this, it is recommended to build asphalt paths at functional nodes of the garden: for example, between the garage and the utility block. It is strictly forbidden to build asphalt paths near recreation areas, due to the harmfulness of asphalt.

No. 6. Lawn covering

In a plot outside the city, where you want to take a break from the bustle of the city, asphalt and concrete, it is better to use natural materials, for example, lawn grass. Such a courtyard will look cozy, and the surface of the area will be in harmony with the plantings and the environment, however, it is better to take the most trampling-resistant lawn, but even it is better not to use it in the parking area - this is an option for recreation areas and places with the least load.

Among the minuses

lawn coverage requires constant care: fertilizing, pruning, weed control, reseeding in the most trampled places. But walking on the grass will be very pleasant, you can even move barefoot, and children will have a reduced risk of injury if they fall during games.

How to lay asphalt with your own hands?

In order to lay asphalt at your dacha with your own hands, you need to carefully prepare the area, know the technology of laying asphalt, and have at least a homemade manual asphalt roller.

You should immediately draw your attention to the fact that it is very difficult to make asphalt yourself, because... it is necessary to heat the bitumen, mix it with crushed stone and additives and know the correct proportions. Since asphalt is not expensive, it is best to order a ready-made mixture from a road repair company. In this case, you will not lose a lot of money, but the asphalt will be delivered to you directly to the installation site hot, all that remains is to quickly level it, compact it and roll it.

So, let's get down to business!

Preparing the area for asphalt paving

First of all, we mark the boundaries of the future asphalt path. At this point, it is necessary to remove a layer of soil (at least 30 cm, it all depends on the purpose of the path) and make sure that no tree roots pass near the future path, otherwise they will soon begin to destroy the asphalt. If there are roots, cut them out with an ax. After this, we install curbs along the entire perimeter of the path, which will be the boundaries. The role of the curb is not only to prevent the spread of asphalt, but also a decorative function. To install curbs, we dig a small, level trench and plant them in cement mortar in this trench. To create an even border, we stretch the rope from the beginning to the end of the sides of the path and guide ourselves along this rope. Bricks can be used as a border, laid not only on the side edges, but also at an angle.

Preparing the area for asphalt paving

To prevent water from collecting on the asphalt path, make a small drain in advance: build the path at an inclination of 1-2 degrees and equip it with small drainages that direct the flow of water into the soil.

Laying new asphalt

As we said earlier, it is more advisable to order asphalt from the factory. After the asphalt is delivered to your site, you must immediately proceed to laying it, because the solution hardens quickly.

Laying new asphalt

First of all, we spread the asphalt with a shovel over the entire area of ​​the path, making an even filling. Next, using a motor mop, we level the asphalt along the entire path, adding asphalt into the holes and leveling the bumps. Please note that the minimum thickness of the asphalt pavement must be at least 5 cm to ensure the strength of the garden path, so this requirement must be observed.

As mentioned earlier, asphalt hardens quickly, so to create a path it is better to invite several assistants to make the process faster.

As soon as part of the path is planned, we take a hand roller and begin to roll this section, while the rest plan the path further.

Mandatory requirement: before rolling the path, lubricate the roller with diesel fuel so that the asphalt does not stick to it and the path is perfectly level. You can also lubricate shovels with diesel fuel to make it easier to throw asphalt onto the path.

When working with the roller, you must move slowly, making only straight-line movements (reverse movements are prohibited). During rolling, seams will form at the joints between the lines; in order to remove them, it is necessary to roll across the seams.

Never leave the roller on the path after work.

For high-quality rolling, the roller must protrude beyond the border of the track by at least 10 cm.

If the weight of the roller is not enough to roll the track well, then you can ask one of the assistants to stand on the frame of the roller, then the weight will increase.

DIY video tutorial on laying asphalt

You can see the asphalt laying process in more detail in this video:

Laying asphalt on old pavement

If you decide to lay asphalt not on soil, but on old asphalt pavement or concrete screeds, then the process of preparing the area will change. Instead of a cushion of crushed stone and sand, you just need to repair the old coating. To do this, you need to rid the surface of dirt and various debris; if there are small cracks, they need to be widened manually so that in the future they are tightly clogged with asphalt.

After this, it is necessary to pour molten bitumen along the entire perimeter of the future garden path and, using a motor mop, spread the bitumen into strips of 50 cm (no less). Along the entire length of the path, it is necessary to make transverse bitumen strips in increments of half a meter, and then we create an asphalt path with our own hands using the technology indicated above.

How to repair an asphalt path?

Even if you have laid the asphalt with high quality with your own hands, the path will still sooner or later begin to collapse. The most often destructive factors are:

To repair asphalt pavement with your own hands, it is recommended to use cold asphalt, which can be laid even at low temperatures (minus).

Making asphalt at home

Asphalting is a task not only for capital construction, but also for individual construction. Each homeowner, if desired, can independently prepare the mixture for making a sidewalk, path or driveway on their own site. Typically, such asphalt pavements do not have to withstand high loads, so the production requirements are simpler. The finished asphalt has sufficient characteristics, so it will last more than a year without problems. Let's look at ways to prepare bituminous concrete yourself.

Classic method

The standard recipe includes the following “ingredients”:

• quarry or river sand;
• crushed stone 30-40 mm in size;
• bitumen (bitumen resin will do).

The container will be a metal bucket or barrel. Cook over an open fire, like a campfire.

Take gravel and sand (2:1 ratio), fill it with water and “boil” it over a fire with occasional shaking. At this stage, the bitumen base is prepared: the bitumen is dissolved in a bucket (it should boil), after which a plasticizer is added. If the latter is not available, you can use regular detergent or shampoo.

When the water in the crushed stone barrel boils, heated resin is added. Adding water is initially necessary so that the sand and gravel do not overheat above +100 degrees Celsius. Stir the mixture until the water comes to a full boil. Use hot ready-mixed asphalt.

Use of old asphalt concrete pavement.

A new mixture can also be obtained from old asphalt. The manufacturing technology is almost the same as for the new composition, with minor differences. If we are talking about large-scale production, then thermal profiling technology is used. This is when old asphalt is dismantled, crushed, loosened and melted.

The manufacturing process comes down to several stages:

1. Using a sledgehammer or impact mechanism, the old canvas is removed. As a rule, the cushion is not disassembled; only a layer of bitumen is used.
2. The old coating can be recycled. First, it is crushed into small fractions not exceeding 40 mm. The water is then drained and dissolved. Bitumen is added again, but in small quantities - 10 kg per 100 kg of old asphalt.
3. The following steps are similar to making a new asphalt pavement.

Method of working with cold asphalt

This method is relevant when processing a large area is required. Not suitable for stitching. The production method became popular not so long ago, no more than 10 years ago. The principle is similar to cold welding. The main component is the bitumen itself, which can also be processed at sub-zero temperatures.

This fabric does not require heavy loads, so it is used for beautifying the local area. The advantage of the method is that it is applicable in situations where it is not possible to work with hot compounds.

A solid base for asphalt is the key to its durability

The soil is prepared, but this does not mean that asphalt can be laid. You need a solid foundation for it. There are two types of base for asphalt pavement:

• Rigid (reinforced concrete slabs). Expensive. For home work - unprofitable.
• Non-rigid (stones + sand cushion).

When compacting the last layer of sand, you need to generously water it. This way it will settle and compact better and faster. Don’t skimp on good equipment – ​​a vibrating plate or a vibrating foot, because the quality of the base largely determines the lifespan of the asphalt.

Compacted? Now install curbs on the sides. You can lay out decorative side stones. The curb is the completeness and neatness of the asphalt path. But its purpose is not only to decorate the asphalt. He is responsible for the integrity of the coating. It is necessary so that the asphalt does not creep away over time.

Why asphalt is the most popular surface

Asphalt pavement is very popular among private home owners. First of all, laying asphalt at home is practical and easy. There is nothing super difficult about paving your yard yourself. Secondly, asphalt is a material with unique properties and features. Thanks to them, he:

• Not subject to deformation or damage. Repair is a rare case. If repairs are necessary, the damaged area can be easily and inexpensively repaired
• Wear-resistant. Long lasting
• Has excellent waterproofing
• Resistant to temperature changes, which is important in our latitudes. Does not react to frost, heat, showers and snowfalls
• Resistant to oils, acids and other chemicals

Road surface comparison table

*prices are indicated for the period 2016-2017.

And finally, a good argument – ​​asphalt pavement is inexpensive! Compared to tiles and paving stones.

What is asphalt and how is it produced on an industrial scale?

The word “asphaltos”, which came to us from the ancient Greek language, means “mountain resin”. This name helps to understand what modern asphalt is made of. It can be natural and artificial. The first is a mixture of petroleum products and rocks.

People have noticed how nature, by passing oil through the ground, creates a substance that can become liquid and soft when heated, and hard and durable when it cools. They began to cover roads with this material, and humanity invented its synthetic analogue.

Artificial material is now actively used for road construction all over the world. It consists of the following components:

• Sand . Acts as a filler. It is also used to increase the strength of the road.
• Crushed stone. This is a reinforcing substance, thanks to which the finished frozen layers do not crack.
• Bitumen resin. It is a kind of glue that binds all components of the coating.

In asphalt plants, the base components are first mixed and brought to a boil. Mineral materials are prepared separately, cleaned and dried. Bitumen is mixed with these components at a temperature of about 140 degrees. The mixture is delivered hot to the installation site.

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