FAQ’s About Asphalt Paving
Q. What exactly is asphalt made of?
A. Asphalt is a mixture of heated sand, stone, and asphalt cement (AC). There are various asphalt mix designs for various paving applications.
Q. How long before I can drive and park on my newly paved driveway?
A. We advise our customers to keep vehicles off the fresh asphalt for 2-3 days. We also suggest that you do not park heavy objects such as campers and trailers in the exact same spot for extended periods. This is critical in the hotter summer months. It takes several months for asphalt to completely cure, parking heavy objects for long periods of time on a new driveway may cause low spots or “sinking”. If you must park something heavy on a newly paved surface, move it around frequently for the first few months. Excessive back and forth movement of your steering tires while the vehicle is stoped causes a grinding effect on the fresh asphalt. Refrain from turning your steering wheel unless the vehicle is in motion. Excessive back and forth movement of the tires while the vehicle is stopped causes a grinding effect on the fresh asphalt.
Q. How often should I seal coat my new driveway?
A. We recommend sealing roughly one year after a fresh paving job, and every two to three years afterwards or until the existing sealer starts to look worn and thin.
Q. How much does asphalt paving cost per square foot?
A. We get asked this one a lot. The truth is, there is no real answer to this question. There are several factors that come into play when estimating a paving job. Evaluation of existing sub base is very important. Laying new asphalt over a badly cracked, soft, or otherwise poor sub base will almost always result in premature failure of the new asphalt. Vehicle traffic is another important factor. Paved areas that see a lot of medium to heavy truck traffic will require a much heavier and stronger paving profile than that of a typical residential driveway that only ever sees the family car or pickup truck. Oil prices are also a major factor in the cost of a new paving job. Plants use fuel to produce asphalt as well as the liquid oil (AC) in the asphalt itself, delivery trucks as well as the paving equipment all burn fuel in order to get the job done. In general higher oil prices mean higher paving costs and vise versa. Most experienced and reputable paving contractors will supply you with an estimate free of charge after evaluating your project in person. In fact, be cautious of anyone who is willing to give you a sight unseen paving quote over the phone, chances are they are not the contractor that you want doing your job.
