Paving a flat commercial lot in the city is one thing. Paving a 15-degree incline on the side of a mountain in the Shenandoah Valley is an entirely different engineering challenge.
The Danger of Downhill Creep
On steep grades, asphalt can "creep" or slide downhill during the hot summer months if the wrong binder is used. Standard residential asphalt simply cannot hold up to the shear forces of heavy vehicles braking on a decline.
Engineering the Incline
- Aggressive Compaction: We utilize heavy, specialized vibratory rollers that can safely operate on steep grades to achieve 95%+ density.
- Water Diversion Swales: Water is the enemy of steep asphalt. If it runs down the edges, it will scour the foundation and cause a collapse. We engineer asphalt "berms" or swales to safely redirect storm runoff away from the driveway edges.
- High-Traction Surface Mix: We utilize a specific aggregate gradation that leaves a slightly more textured surface, providing essential grip for vehicles during rain or light snow.
Trust your mountain property to the contractors who specialize in the extreme.