Thinking About Milling Your Driveway? Here's What You Need to Know.
So, you're eyeing your asphalt driveway and wondering if milling is the right move. Maybe it's got some cracks, some bumpy spots, or you're just getting ready to put down a fresh layer and need the old stuff prepped. Milling, sometimes called cold planing or asphalt reclamation, basically shaves off the top bit of your existing asphalt. It's a smart way to fix surface problems without ripping out the whole thing, and honestly, it can save you a good chunk of change.
But here's the thing: while some parts of a driveway project might seem like a decent DIY, milling is a whole different animal. I've been doing this for years with Flagstaff Asphalt Construction, and I've watched people try to tackle it themselves only to end up with a bigger mess and a heftier bill. Let's talk about what a homeowner can realistically handle and when you really, truly need to bring in the pros.
Before You Even Think About Milling
First off, you need to grasp what milling actually does. It takes off a precise amount of asphalt – typically anywhere from a half-inch to several inches. This leaves you with a fresh, textured surface that's perfect for a new asphalt overlay to really grip. It can also help fix drainage issues if your driveway has settled unevenly over time. Here in Flagstaff, with our freeze-thaw cycles and sometimes heavy snow, good drainage is, well, huge. You definitely don't want water pooling up and seeping into your base layer, especially with our clay-heavy soils in certain parts of town like Cheshire or Forest Highlands.
Before you even lift a finger, ask yourself:
- What's the goal here? Are you just trying to smooth out some bumps, or are you getting ready for a full overlay?
- How's your existing base? If your base is shot – meaning it's soft, crumbling, or has major potholes that go all the way through – milling won't fix that. You might need a full excavation and replacement, no two ways about it.
- Any underground utilities lurking? Sprinkler lines, gas lines, electrical conduits – you absolutely, positively need to know where these are. A milling machine will tear right through them. Call 811 before you dig, or even before you mill.
For most homeowners, the