FAQ

The main difference is that resurfacing/ rehabilitation is a structural repair that will extend the useful life of your asphalt surface. It entails the patching (if necessary) and resurfacing of the entire driveway with a new overlay of 1 ½" to 3" of hot bituminous asphalt. Sealcoating is not a structural repair and may be likened to painting your house. The seal coating protects and extends the life of your asphalt, but does nothing to correct structural flaws. Sealcoating, accordingly, is substantially less expensive than resurfacing your drive.

Tire scuffmarks are caused when you turn your car's steering wheel while the car is stationary. If it is a hot day and the asphalt has not completely cured, the surface will get a blemish like grinding your heel into a soft substance. Over time, most of this will disappear.

Asphalt is comprised of roughly 95% varying-sized aggregates and 5% black asphalt cement. While the mixes we use are all state-approved, the appearance and characteristics of the mixes will vary. It is natural to expect a variation in the surface texture of the asphalt between loads and in different areas of a paved surface.

A critical aspect of producing a long lasting job is the achievement of the proper compaction of your surface. 90% compaction is ideal. Sometimes the rollers leave 'streaks' or marks on the drive. These are temporary and will become less noticeable over several months.

Properly compacted asphalt has 10% air voids in it. If a seed of grass gets into the mix and germinates - viola! - We have grass. The best thing to do is spray the area with 'Round Up' to kill the grass.

This is generally a function of the amount of direct sunlight and traffic that an area gets. As a rule of thumb, a surface should not need sealcoating more than every three or four years. Once a driveway has been sealcoated too many times, it becomes very smooth and slick when it rains.

Color aside, we believe that this is primarily a question of personal taste, but there are two primary differences.

• Asphalt is a flexible surface that has the ability to flex with use and slight movements of the base. Concrete relies on its own internal strength to absorb loads and bridge weaknesses in the sub-base.
• Concrete costs significantly more than an asphalt surface of comparable strength.

Yes. This can be done if the concrete has not deteriorated too much, but there is a caveat. Concrete has expansion joints and when the concrete 'moves', it will reflect up through the asphalt and crack.

An overlay is defined by adding a new layer of asphalt over existing asphalt or concrete.

Asphalt can last between 15- 20 years if maintained properly.

Tack coat is like a glue that helps to adhere the new asphalt to the old.

Amazingly, asphalt is the most recycled material in the world, even exceeding aluminum! All new asphalt has between 15% and 20% crushed, recycled asphalt mixed into the new mix. Virgin material can be purchased however, experts highly recommend refraining from the use of virgin material in any new installation unless it is being used on the bottom of multiple lifts.

Recycled asphalt can also be used as a less expensive driveway application. However, recycled asphalt has rubber, oil, and line paint all mixed together and can be very easily tracked into your home and vehicle.

Most driveways or parking lots are blocked off for 2 to 3 days. However, if imperative, asphalt can be driven on (not parked on) once the roller has completed the job. Extreme care should be taken for at least one week (for example no sharp wheel turns).