Can pour concrete on asphalt to make it flat again?

[Eddo Rogue]

Theres big tree roots pushing up the old asphalt around my garage, its a a real PITA rolling floorjacks and whatnot when Im wrenching. Can I just pour a thin layer of concrete over it to smooth things out? I think theres enough slope compensation to be able to float out over the roots yet keep drainage away from the garage...It wont be flat, but still better than these dang bumps....I dont wanna go through the cost and headache of having it all busted up and replaced just yet...For I may just teardown later...1st world problems...

 

[MikeG]

Sure, till the tree roots push it up again.

 

[RonD]

Thin concrete will just crack, needs to be 2" thick at least

There are cold patch and depression fillers for asphalt

This stuff looks interesting: http://technisoil.com/trowelpave-asphalt.html

 

[Dirtman]

Just put gravel over it...

 

[Eddo Rogue]

Its already gravel. I need to roll a floorjack and creeper around....

 

[Eddo Rogue]

Thin concrete will just crack, needs to be 2" thick at least

There are cold patch and depression fillers for asphalt

This stuff looks interesting: http://technisoil.com/trowelpave-asphalt.html

Thanks Ron, this might work, I'll check it out...

 

[Eddo Rogue]

Well, what if I chipped out the asphalt, and formed it, but leaving surrounding asphalt to support the form...could I just fill it with mud and steel at that point? I could grind down the roots too I guess...

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

You have to stop the roots from growing or it will happen again.
KILL THE TREE...
KILL THE TREE...
KILL THE TREE!!!

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

You have to stop the roots from growing or it will happen again.
KILL THE TREE...
KILL THE TREE...
KILL THE TREE!!!

Also, once the tree is dead the roots will decompose leaving a void in the dirt. How long that takes depends on moisture in the ground. So digging out the roots is a good idea.

 

[MikeG]

You tree-killer, you! Go stand in the corner and hug a bunny........

 

[ericbphoto]

Theres big tree roots pushing up the old asphalt around my garage, its a a real PITA rolling floorjacks and whatnot when Im wrenching. Can I just pour a thin layer of concrete over it to smooth things out? I think theres enough slope compensation to be able to float out over the roots yet keep drainage away from the garage...It wont be flat, but still better than these dang bumps....I dont wanna go through the cost and headache of having it all busted up and replaced just yet...For I may just teardown later...1st world problems...

Can you? Yes
Is it a good idea? Not really.

Without removing the tree and roots, anything you do is temporary and will heave or break up again, meaning it's wasted money in time and materials. Its a lot of money and work to do it right. But it's more time and money to keep doing it over and over again. Personally, I would rather just deal with the lumpy driveway a while longer until I could save enough money to fix it right.. The choice is ultimately yours.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

I cant mess with the tree because it is a protected oak. It looks old and dead, so it will probably fall over soon anyways. Its not even that bad, except for the spot that's ideal to park for wrenching. The aphalt is old an needs replacing anyways. Most of it is pretty flat, but I was gonna have it all re paved, but was thinking the part in front the garage could be concrete instead. Really I need a bigger garage.

 

[sgtsandman]

Depending on the root infiltration, you could just cut the roots effecting the pavement. I have a huge maple that has put roots everywhere. I had to cut a few when digging the gravel base for a retaining wall that holds the gravel base for the shed. The tree survived it just fine.

 

[adsm08]

You tree-killer, you! Go stand in the corner and hug a bunny........

In the last 12 months I have kill both a tree and a rabbit.

 

[MikeG]

You'd go to jail in California for THINKING of hurting a tree root. Probably a public hanging if a bunny could prove that it's feelings were hurt.....