I live in Colorado. Previous owners heavily salted the concrete driveway where our cars park, and it is eaten away badly. The whole drive is in decent shape, some spots with surface pitting. But where the cars park it is really eaten up, reducing the surface to sand/dirt and loose rocks.

My question is- can I DIY lay asphalt/blacktop on top of this? I saw a neighbor DIY asphalt on top of an old driveway, and it looked like a butt load of work, but something I could do myself and save money (maybe?). End product looks good still after a few winters.

But is my drive too damaged at this point, or can I get a good layer of asphalt on top for relatively less money? Honestly- I'm just looking for a 3-5 year fix, not a permenant solution.

Or would a concrete overlay be a better solution?

I appreciate any advice at all.

Please provide pictures of your driveway, OP.

To do concrete you will need to more than likely tear up all the old asphalt and excavate or form up with rebar with wire mesh to pour concrete. Do you for sure have asphalt and not a chip seal driveway? Just clarifying. My dad and I have laid a lot of asphalt by hand........shovel and hand roller.......and it is tough work. If you go this route make sure you specify hot mix/ cold lay material. You might find it most economical to hire a company to do patch repair then do a couple of courses of chip seal over the existing surface. Chip seal is basically hot tar emulsion and small washed gravel. First course is usually # 2 Rock topped with another emulsion layer and #3 Rock for the second course. Right now the oil prices (tar) is stupid expensive.

I am sure you could get some OB labor in exchange for some hunting/fishing opportunities.

Gunny456 said:

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To do concrete you will need to more than likely tear up all the old asphalt and excavate or form up with rebar with wire mesh to pour concrete. Do you for sure have asphalt and not a chip seal driveway? Just clarifying. My dad and I have laid a lot of asphalt by hand........shovel and hand roller.......and it is tough work. If you go this route make sure you specify hot mix/ cold lay material. You might find it most economical to hire a company to do patch repair then do a couple of courses of chip seal over the existing surface. Chip seal is basically hot tar emulsion and small washed gravel. First course is usually # 2 Rock topped with another emulsion layer and #3 Rock for the second course. Right now the oil prices (tar) is stupid expensive.

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I read it as the OP currently has a concrete driveway and is thinking about putting asphalt on top of the concrete.

This is correct- currently have concrete that is spalling/eroding (what I could consider) badly.

I'm looking for ANY solution that is more economical, even if DIY. I'm just assuming laying asphalt on top is cheaper, but maybe not? Or, maybe it's just at rip out and replace time (what I want to avoid).

Will do ASAP.

Asphalt over concrete is fairly common. You'll see it on bridges and driveways. I have a second home that I'm sure the asphalt is at least 40 years old and a few years ago a storm uprooted a tree next to it - it ripped up the driveway in a spot and there it was - a concrete driveway underneath the asphalt.

Now, how it's done, I'm sure the concrete likely needs an etching/cleaning to get rid of the salts you obviously have to enhance adhesion. As for applying the asphalt, I'd never try a DIY but that's just me. I know it's cheaper DIY but asphalt guys with all the equipment can do it amazingly fast and it should be as good as you can get.

Burrus86 said:

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Please provide pictures of your driveway, OP.

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I need to abstain from the GB - I almost said don't forget the picture of .... well, y'all know.

Since you only care for a few years, yes put asphalt over concrete. Definitely more economical than concrete.

As far as DIY, don't think it's worth it unless you own a plate compactor or will rent a roller and a trailer to get it home if you don't have one. Plate compactor won't look as nice or last as long, but will save some money. It isn't much more to hire it out than rent the roller and trailer. Since it's small, a crew will probably roll up with a dump truck carrying the asphalt and a trailer towing the roller and knock it out in an hour.

I would recommend a microcoating or an overlay versus asphalt. It will look better, last longer and probably end up being cheaper.

With an overlay, you can also stamp or stain it if you really want to to add some aesthetic appeal.

If it were me, i would clean off the existing concrete down to "sound concrete" using brooms, power washer, etc.

Then i would pour a "concrete overlay". You will want to have the underlaying concrete damp when pouring the concrete. All you will need is forms, concrete, and finishing tools. I would match the existing joints in the below concrete. There really isnt a need for rebar in this application, unless you want to to feel good, but it doesnt add strength, just holds cracks together after cracking. You could add in a macro fiber in the concrete mix at 4 lbs / CY and that would work. Maor sure and request 15 -25% fly ash in your concrete mix as that will enhance durability of the mix, especially under freeze / thaw conditions and salting the driveway to melt snow / ice.

If you want to search online, google bonded concrete overlay and look up some information on the concrete pavement technology center at Iowa St University.

Pouring concrete and finishing it is easier than placing asphalt properly.

I really appreciate this advice, I think this is exactly what I needed to hear. I've never done any asphalt, but I've poured a few small slabs and sidewalks before. I would feel more confident in that for sure. I'll research it. Thanks