Is it better to cut asphalt wet or dry?

• <div><p>Wet cutting is usually the preferred method. It controls dust, which helps protect your lungs and makes for a cleaner working environment. Plus, the water cools the blade, preventing overheating and prolonging its life while providing smoother, more precise cuts. The downside is the mess—water and asphalt sludge can be messy to clean. Dry cutting, though convenient if water isn’t available, creates a lot of dust, which can be harmful. This also increases the risk of blade damage due to overheating. So, if you have the option, wet cutting is the better method for most asphalt jobs. </p></div>

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Q: Is asphalt the same as tarmac?

• <div><p>Asphalt and tarmac are not the same thing. Traditional tarmac, short for tarmacadam, uses tar as a binder to hold crushed stone together. Asphalt uses bitumen&mdash;a byproduct of crude oil&mdash;to bind aggregate. Though tarmac was once a go-to for roads, asphalt has become the modern standard. And these days, most surfaces referred to as &ldquo;tarmac&rdquo; are actually asphalt. So, while the names may overlap, the key distinction lies in the binder&mdash;tar for tarmac and bitumen for asphalt.</p></div>

Q: Can you put thin pavers over a concrete driveway?

• <div><p>Yes, you can put thin pavers over a concrete driveway. However, it's always best to talk to a driveway installer before starting. You'll need to ensure that the concrete below is in good enough shape to hold the pavers and that the driveway will still meet local building codes.</p></div>

Q: How do you stick pavers to concrete?

• <div><p>If you&rsquo;re installing <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/pavers-vs-concrete-patio.htm">pavers over an existing concrete slab</a>, you don&rsquo;t need to affix the majority of the pavers, but you should use a polyurethane-based adhesive on the border pavers. Polyurethane will expand and contract with temperature changes, which will help keep the pavers firmly in place throughout the year. It&rsquo;s also strong enough to stand up to foot traffic. You&rsquo;ll use polymeric sand between the non-border pavers to keep them in place and prevent shifting.</p></div>

Q: How do you build a road on a slope?

• <div><p>Building a road on a slope requires careful planning and will normally require a drainage system underneath to prevent flooding and damage to the road over time. Your professional may lengthen your road to create switchbacks if the slope directly to your home is too steep, as there are regulations for maximum road slope. The drainage system will help prevent runoff from the higher side of the slope from damaging the asphalt or concrete. Keep in mind that building a road on a slope isn&rsquo;t a good DIY project, as a lot can go wrong.</p></div>

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Last update on November 29, 2025