How to install new asphalt driveway over gravel

Here we install a new asphalt driveway over this exiting crushed concrete / gravel driveway. We compact the existing base and add some crushed concrete. Then we put down about 3 inches of binder asphalt and 2 inches of topcoat asphalt. We use the dump truck and my Bobcat T66 to spread the asphalt.

[@Kevin-is-here]

Never seen this done by hand before, turned out nice

[@srmcontracting]

Thank you

[@thomasbarrett2812]

That's a good looking driveway. Thanks for posting.

[@srmcontracting]

Thanks for watching!

[@dcwshoreline5416]

excellent Job Sean and Crew!

[@cd1168]

You did a great job. Especially the compaction

[@mp-xt2rg]

Looks great good work.

[@srmcontracting]

Thank you

[@leonardcrisci7254]

Great way to start my Saturday

[@Eds2025]

Good job buddy’s 😎

[@srmcontracting]

Thanks man

[@lukeskowronski6447]

Good work

[@srmcontracting]

Thanks

[@jacobbelfield9835]

Looks smooooth! How many inches of asphalt can you compact at a time (is it the same as ab3 at 1”/1000lb cf?)How long do you have to plate compact/roller the asphalt before it wont compact/cool off to much?

[@srmcontracting]

Thanks! I'm going say up to 3" at most. Generally you compact and roll the base, then compact and roll the top coat. We compact and roll it as we go, but it all depends on the weather. If it's in the 90s I wouldn't wait more 45 mins to compact a section

[@iveneverdonethisbefore8390]

Well….i don’t know what I think of this one. I’m not sure how long this will last but I’m going to guess the homeowner knows that and wanted to save some money.
I will say that, it’s an impressive looking job for doing this without an asphalt machine.

[@srmcontracting]

Thank you! A lot of guys make a big fuss about not using a paver, as long as you can get it down evenly and compact it before it starts to set up it's fine. There are tons of driveways and parking lots that have areas the paver can't maneuver so that area gets done as we did here. It will hold up just the same, like anything else it mainly comes down to the base.

[@iveneverdonethisbefore8390]

@@srmcontracting yes, the base is why I’m not sure it will hold up. Just cause you didn’t start from scratch and excavate.
Anyways, been a subscriber for a few years, enjoying the channel very much.

[@manny53o]

@@srmcontractingbecause you tend to get a lot of segregation when you rake asphalt by hand. A lot of guys tend to over work the mix and bring the larger aggregate to the top which creates voids for water to intrude.
It looks like you had a good raker and were able to compact and seal it up after it was laid down.
Crushed concrete is a great base material I wouldn’t worry about this falling apart from not totally excavating down.

[@TheHomePros6221]

Looks great how much does a job like this cost? How much money do you have in materials? I’ve been thinking of doing the same thing and extending a parking area over.

[@srmcontracting]

Thanks, A driveway like this in my area would be about $5000. Materials were $1500

[@leonardcrisci7254]

@@srmcontracting and what about if it was done with concrete

[@FunctionalFitPDR]

Do you have different plate compactors for gravel and asphalt? Thought I noticed two different models used. Did you rent the roller for this job specifically? You guys picking up more and more asphalt jobs?

[@srmcontracting]

Yes the asphalt compactor is lighter then the gravel compactor and it has a water tank. Corey owns that roller and we do a few asphalt jobs a year.

[@wolfpacva]

why dont you use a Lo Boy to put an even coat of asphalt down

[@JonathanAshworth50]

How many yards of asphalt and what was the total length of the driveway? Also curious how long the asphalt stays hot enough to work with? I’m currently quoting a job that requires some asphalt repair. Can’t get an asphalt guy to come out and look so trying to figure out how I can do it my self

[@srmcontracting]

52 ft, It was 9 tons of base and 8 tons of top coat. If its real hot out and in the sun you have more working time probably 30-45 min before you need to compact.

[@sawyerdavis23]

Anything SRM cannot do?

[@AdamOsso77]

Those people drive fast through that work zone. What’s wrong with people.

[@matteoricci1449]

great project
whats the next job?

[@srmcontracting]

Thank you, Next video will be a concrete foundation removal. I appreciate you following the channel

[@matteoricci1449]

@@srmcontracting best content
nice roller what year?

[@srmcontracting]

@@matteoricci1449 Its from the 90s but still runs great

[@mikeh8047]

Why the water with the roller at the end?

[@rustrtal]

So it doesn't stick

[@srmcontracting]

So it doesn't stick and helps it start to harden

[@FunctionalFitPDR]

And to keep the morale up with the team! Hahah

[@Chestnut0923]

Don’t say diesel lol EPA doesn’t like that. I probably would have done a thicker coat of asphalt. Other than that it looks great! I would have dropped the grade before I placed it. You do great work though!

[@srmcontracting]

Thanks I appreciate that! This was about 5 1/2 inches, most guys are only doing 4 these days.

[@SunChips24]

Was gonna say. This was one of the thickest driveways I've seen! ​@@srmcontracting

[@Chestnut0923]

@@srmcontracting my driveway is just shy of 4.5 and it’s just falling apart. I’m redoing it with concrete. Around here we do around 6” total 4 base 2”-3” of top. And pack the crap out of it.

[@lastone1269]

No tack oil won't last !

[@leonardcrisci7254]

Please, next time put up cones and funnel that traffic

[@srmcontracting]

Cones would have been a good idea. Naturally there was no traffic until we started working.

[@leonardcrisci7254]

@@srmcontracting towards the end, I seen a couple cars coming pretty quick

[@roncarver6106]

I guess you have to start somewhere

[@shanestamball1886]

I thought I've seen it all, but this is ridiculous, you have a 5ton with a door. But not a poor man's paver box? Makes no sense