Why Brick Edging is Important for Your Driveways?

When installed and maintained properly, asphalt driveways in Melbourne can last as long as any hard surface. However, as edges are prone to several defects, it is one of the weakest points of the driveway. Amongst all, cracking is the most common defect.

Generally, crack form parallel with the driveway edge. It generally occurs when there is expansive soil present under the driveways. The soil expands and contracts, which eventually leads to cracks through the asphalt surface. Installing brick edging can interrupt this expansion and keep the asphalt from shifting. This eliminates the cracking in the pavement.

Invasive vegetation is another cause of cracking. Grass and weed can easily migrate or expand through asphalt, especially when asphalt driveway is less than 3 years old. Moreover, chickweed and Zoysia spread by sending out runners under the soil. Eventually, you will start seeing some pop up through the asphalt.

Installing brick edging on asphalt driveways can help eliminate the potential of migrating grass invading the asphalt. When an edge is installed properly by a qualified paving contractor, it will create a solid barrier between the edge and the yard of the driveway. Substrates that are used to hold the edge is non-porous. This leaves no void areas for vegetation to grow.

Invasive grass when left unattended on an exposed asphalt edge, it will eventually ravel the edge. Brick edging plays a prominent role in preventing damage from the grass. In addition, they also keep the vehicles from driving off the edge of the driveway. Driving off and on an edge of asphalt driveways in Melbourne will eventually cause the edge to break off.

Not only this leads to expensive repair but also reduces the curb appeal. Repetition of this will rut the yard and cause a bare spot, eventually turning to mud. Decorative edges, when installed properly, will reinforce the pavement edge, also creating a curb. This will keep the vehicles on the driveway, whilst keeping them out of the yard.

Another important benefit of installing brick edging is the ability to control drainage. Not all, but many homeowners desire a protective barrier against unwanted rainwater and erosion. This can be achieved by installing a brick edge on the driveway edge. Moreover, if you are having unwanted drainage or soil erosion from the neighbourhood, it can be stopped by installing a decorative curb or edge.

Brick edging also adds beauty and aesthetics to the home. When you hire a qualified paving contractor for installing brick edging, it can eliminate defects and guard your investment for several years to come. You’ll be surprised to know that brick edging can add up to 10 years of the lifespan to your asphalt driveways in Melbourne.

If you are looking for adding brick edge to your asphalt driveways, Custom Asphalt is your trustworthy partner. We specialize in brick edging in and around Melbourne. With us, you can have complete peace of mind as not only all our machinery is fully insured but we also have Workcover certification and Public Liability Insurance. To discuss your requirements, get in touch with us today!

A Comprehensive Guide on Choosing the Best Asphalt Repair Company near You

The asphalt projects are not something that you can risk doing with a cheap, unprofessional paving company. You need to take into consideration a number of aspects like aesthetics, longevity and safety of the community at large while you set out to seek out the most experienced asphalt paving professional in your area. 

For this, it is highly recommended to thoroughly research local paving companies to make sure that they meet all safety standards and requirements. Apart from this, listed below are a few things that you should consider in deciding your professional team for paving.

• Get the Initial Quote 

A professional contractor will be able to give you an accurate quote before the work begins. They will take the measurements, discuss your needs and come up with the estimate while providing you with an explanation about everything that goes into the expense sheet.

• Know about Work and References

Take enough time to research all the companies near you who are capable of carrying out accurate asphalt repairs. Find their background and previous testimonials. Check out their reviews. This will give you important insights from those who have already used the contractors' services.

• Find out about the Insurance Coverage

This is often overlooked but is an important factor while choosing the right asphalt paving company. When working on your property, you'd like to be sure that their coverage protects both - you and them in an unfortunate event like the accident.

• Know the Team Members

Ask the number of members who will be sent out to work on your paving project. Each team is different, depending on the demands of your individual project. The best paving contractor will be sure to send out a team that is large enough to complete your project on time and on budget.

• Identify their Equipment

Machines that are not well-maintained can break down any time and if this happens, it can cause delays. Asphalt cools quickly after it has been laid and a machine that is not working efficiently can cause integral faults and cosmetic blemishes. So, it is imperative for you to take a look at the equipment they use.

• Ask for the Materials Used

It is essential to choose a professional who can give you the guarantee of carrying out the asphalt repair work using only the highest quality of materials. The high-quality asphalt is considerably more durable and has a much better appearance as compared to a low-quality mix.

Considering these points will definitely enable you to choose a reliable company whom you can count on for delivering quality services. One such company that you can rely on is Custom Asphalt.

Our professional team here provides domestic, commercial and industrial markets quality asphalt repairs and maintenance services throughout Melbourne. If you wish to know more about our team or our services, feel free to visit our website or contact us directly for instant assistance.

Concrete vs. Asphalt Driveways – Which is better?

Are you planning to build a new driveway or perhaps constructing a new home and need to pave your Driveways in Melbourne? When it comes to installing a new driveway, the biggest decision is to choose between the concrete and asphalt. They are similar but have key differences which you need to consider before making a decision.

Though they vary in many ways, they also share some similarities. Both asphalt and concrete have a gravel base made of stone and sand. The primary difference is the adhesive materials. Concrete is made of cement while asphalt is petroleum based. This simple variance can lead to several differences between the materials. Let’s ponder deeper:

1. Expense
   
   
   On an average, concrete can cost 50% more than asphalt, making asphalt driveways a cheaper and better value for money. Here you need to keep in mind that the prices of asphalt driveways tend to vary with fluctuations in crude oil prices. Details, finishes and stains can increase the overall expense.
   
   
2. Maintenance and repairs
   
   
   While considering installing an asphalt driveway, you need to understand the maintenance and repairs that accompany it. Usually, after six months or a year after the installation, an asphalt driveway needs to be sealed and later sealed again every 3-5 years. This extends the life of the driveways.
   
   
   However, concrete driveways don’t require as much sealing. Sealing can enhance the look and preserve the finish of the concrete driveways; so many homeowners opt for it. Degreasers increase the maintenance costs, but it’s a mandatory option to remove oil, fuel and chemical stains that build up over time.
   
   
   Cracks affect both concrete and asphalt driveways and should be repaired on time. You’ll find that asphalt cracks are easier to fix and result in more aesthetically pleasing repairs. While on the other hand, concrete cracks are harder to repair and impossible to resurface.
   
   
3. Design & Aesthetic
   
   
   When it comes to the look of your driveways in Melbourne, pavement material plays a vital role. You can tint, stain, etch or stamp concrete driveways to achieve the desired look. Finishes provide alternative colour or hues.
   
   
   Whereas asphalt need to be rolled and compressed during installation. Finishes, stamping or etching is not a good idea for asphalt driveways. You can use sealants contain tints or colouring to enhance the aesthetic appeal of your asphalt driveway.
   
   
   
   
4. Climate and Weather
   
   
   Melbourne homeowners need to consider how climate and weather patterns affect their pavement decisions. In colder climates, without any doubt asphalt is a better material to use for driveways. Let’s look at the reasons behind it:

• Asphalt is not affected by cold and doesn’t deteriorate from salt use
• Concrete is prone to expansion and contraction
• Concrete deteriorates with salt use, it is spread on roads to melt snow
• Asphalt pavement absorbs more heat and causes snow and ice to melt rapidly than concrete.

All in all, there are numerous factors that you need to consider while choosing a driveway. From appearance, the initial cost to repair and maintenance needs, you need to consider all. Moreover, specific questions such as the climate you live in, wear and tear you exert on the driveways and any personal restrictions should be considered as well.

If you are planning for Asphalt Driveway in Melbourne, Custom Asphalt can help. We focus on asphalt products at highly competitive pricing. We have more than 15 years of industry experience and specialise in asphalt driveways. To discuss, get in touch with us today!