Driveway Paving in Carson, CA

Driveway paving in Carson is usually a replacement. Many homes in the city went up between the 1950s and 1970s, and their driveways have spent fifty years or more under cars, sun and the occasional heavy winter storm. Concrete driveways from that era have cracked into slabs and heaved at tree roots. Asphalt driveways have been patched and resealed until the base underneath has given out.

Can you pave asphalt over concrete?

It is one of the most common questions we hear. Asphalt can be placed over sound, flat concrete, but every joint and crack in the slab tends to reflect up through the new surface as the concrete moves with temperature. Over broken or heaved concrete, the asphalt will crack where the slabs do. In most cases we remove the concrete, build a compacted gravel base, and pave on that.

Base and thickness

Cost guides describe a standard residential section as 2 to 3 inches of compacted asphalt over 6 to 8 inches of compacted gravel. Homeowners who park a work truck, RV or boat on the driveway need more: 3 to 4 inches of asphalt over 8 to 10 inches of base. We ask what you park there and write both numbers into the estimate.

Slope and drainage

Carson is flat, at about 39 feet above sea level, so water does not always know where to go. We set the grade so the driveway sheds water toward the street or a drain and away from the garage and house. Where a downspout empties onto the driveway, we talk about routing it so water does not sit at the edge.

Edges and transitions

The driveway meets the garage slab, the walk and the concrete apron at the street. We saw-cut clean edges, taper the asphalt to meet each surface without a lip, and compact the edges so they do not crumble into the yard. Apron or curb work is in the public right-of-way, and we confirm the City of Carson's current requirements before it is scheduled.

After paving

Keep cars still while parked for the first warm weeks, avoid trailer jacks and motorcycle stands on bare asphalt, and wait three to six months before the first sealcoat. After that, sealing every few years keeps the surface black and flexible.

Costs

Angi lists a 576-square-foot driveway, 24 by 24 feet, at about $2,900 to $4,000, and removal and replacement at $8 to $15 per square foot. The written estimate is the price.