Thankfully in Houston, we have excellent weather aside from the occasional tropical storm or hurricane. The Spring - Fall is usually when we handle these projects, but we world year-round to ensure we can take care of all of our customers.
There are a few factors that determine this, such as the season and the size of a driveway. In general, we can get a driveway replaced within 2-weeks depending on scheduling and how busy we are.
You might think that the thicker the material, the better. This isn't always the right call. The thickness of your driveway may different from someone down the street. It depends on the ground we are pouring on top of and how compacted it is. On average... a 3-inch thickness is normal.
When done well, an asphalt driveway should last over a decade or longer. You will still need to have this driveway resealed about every 4-to-5-years to keep in tip-top shape. The longevity also depends on drainage and sun exposure.
The best advice we can give you is to have us take a look at it if you're beginning to question its appearance. Some signs of wear and tear are cracking, buckling, poor draining, sinkholes, and small potholes.
In Houston, we call these alligator cracks. Typically, these are a sign you need your driveway replaced as water and debris are likely to make it far worse.
The process is pretty straightforward but not exactly, "easy." Our Houston driveway replacement company will do a base installation, like gravel. We will grade the driveway to account for drainage and maybe piping if necessary. We will then frame the driveway to the specs you desire and plan out the joints. If you plan to park heavy machinery in the area, we will also reinforce the concrete with things like steel rebar.
For concrete, you'll want to wait at least a week to drive on your new driveway, if you can wait longer that is even better. This is so your concrete can cure. For asphalt,
In the Houston climate, one week is the minimum amount of time to allow for a new concrete driveway to cure. However, it’s best if newly-poured concrete has two to three weeks to cure. For asphalt, you'll want to wait for about 72-hours before walking on it, and 14+ days before driving or parking on the driveway.
If you choose the right company you shouldn't have to worry about this, they will do that for you. Drainage is an important part of the driveway replacement process. Without the steps taken for proper drainage, you run the risk of future repairs and premature replacement.
Homeowners or business owners in Houston who properly maintain their driveways can significantly prolong the longevity of their driveways. Some of the things you can do are filling cracks, repair any types of holes, seal the driveway if appropriate, keep it free of debris, and inspect it each season for wear and tear. If you maintain your driveway, it should last twenty or more years.