How can I make my pavers fit on my new asphalt driveway with a slope on the edge for a snug fit?
Asked by Slobodan Hammer 
2 months ago
Last Updated: October 15, 2024
I just had a new asphalt driveway installed and now my old pavers don’t fit. I was considering cutting them to size, but there is a slope on the edge of the driveway. Any ideas on how to get them to fit snugly?
How about using a skill saw with a diamond blade to make a straight cut on the driveway?
Totally! You could also try using a chisel and hammer to carefully extract the angel from the asphalt.
I recently undertook a similar project where I added new pavers to an existing driveway. I used a masonry blade in a circular saw to make a straight cut in the driveway and the pavers to ensure a precise fit.
That was actually my idea too.
You might want to consider adding a bucket of asphalt where the current pavers are.
It looks like the driveway is raised about 2 inches higher than the pavers. I would recommend adding some paver gravel and leveling the base so that the last row of pavers is even. Using a diamond saw, create a straight cut and fill the gap with polymeric sand. We definitely don’t want a 2-inch step that could cause someone to trip and injure themselves. Let’s aim for a smooth transition.
How about filling it with dry ramen? It’s durable enough to outlast your pavers, asphalt, and even your house.
Is waiting for it to rain! 😂
Let’s carefully lay down the concrete and ensure the lines resemble the pavers.
Try using a skilsaw with a concrete cutting blade to cut the angle out of the asphalt, and then use that same blade to cut your pavers to fit.
You can notch out the asphalt to fit pavers with a 6-inch chisel and heavy hammer, then level and fill any cracks with screening or crusher dust.
How about digging out some space and filling it with tamped asphalt cold mix or hot mix if you have a local supplier?
You know, it would have been better if they had extended the asphalt all the way up to the pavers.
Let’s consider cutting the asphalt, adding sand, and then putting the pavers back in place. Or we could use gravel instead and be finished with it.
Mitre the front side cut so that it fits onto the asphalt nicely.
It seems that cutting the dip on the asphalt will allow your pavers to fit in perfectly. Use a skill saw with a concrete blade, and wet the asphalt with a hose before starting.
Photo indicates that removing half of the asphalt chamfer may cause the paver to drop in. It’s important to preserve the chipped edge of the paver. If you see the paver, it will leave a sharp edge, so consider chamfering with an angle grinder and the right blade. It won’t look exactly the same, but it’s better than a sharp 90-degree cut. Do you have an angle grinder? If you do, practice on throw-away pavers, even cheap new ones. Avoid learning on valuable stock. Cutting concrete pavers with a circular saw is challenging. You might want to rent a paver cutter for 4 hours. If the dimensions work out and you can use the whole paver, lay it in and mark a line on the asphalt, leaving a 5/16-ish+ gap. Consider using a China marker or paint pen in white or yellow. On a cool day or morning, score the asphalt at least halfway down, or better yet, all the way through. Using a hammer and chisel alone may cause a breakage that will ruin the appearance. If the asphalt edge is slightly higher than the bottom edge of the paver, use an angle grinder to “ease” the edge of the asphalt or use a propane torch. Move quickly to soften the asphalt edge, gently pinch off the edge with pliers as needed, then warm up the edge just short of smoking. With a block of 2×4 and a hammer, gently form either a chamfer or radius edge. Be cautious of snow removal – it could create a trip hazard. Set the pavers using appropriate aggregate and fill the joint between the paver and asphalt. The joint ensures consistency of appearance and allows for expansion and drainage. Good luck! PS: A cheap angle grinder costs $30, and a diamond blade costs $10-15. A well-done job is priceless.