What Does a Driveway Paving Company Do?

A driveway paving company specializes in installing, repairing, and maintaining asphalt driveways.

Paving companies offer:

• Consultation and site assessment
• Material selection
• Site preparation
• Paving installation
• Sealcoating
• Maintenance and repair

How Long Do Asphalt Driveways Last?

The average lifespan of an asphalt driveway is between 15 and 30 years.

Here’s what you can do to give your new driveway the most longevity:

• Ensure proper site drainage
• Seal cracks as soon as possible
• Apply sealcoating as needed

How Does Getting Drainage and Grading Right Affect Your Driveway’s Durability?

Site prep is an essential consideration when installing a new driveway. Getting these elements right improves your asphalt’s performance and yields a durable paved surface that’s worth your investment.

Ensuring adequate drainage helps avoid potholes and cracks, reduces erosion, and protects your driveway’s base layer from early deterioration. Proper grading creates a slope that directs water away from your driveway’s surface to prevent water accumulation. Generally, a two percent slope (or ¼ inch per foot) will produce efficient water runoff.

What Are the Benefits of Driveway Sealcoating?

Applying an asphalt coating protects your driveway against the elements by providing a water and UV-resistant barrier that prevents your pavement from drying out and becoming brittle. It also prevents the oxidation of the asphalt binder and slows down wear and tear from chemicals, heavy traffic, and weather conditions.

How Are Driveway Cracks Repaired?

Driveway crack repair starts with thoroughly cleaning the crack and surrounding asphalt. This removes dirt, debris, and loose material that could interfere with the quality of our repair work. Next, we assess the size and extent of the damage to determine the appropriate repair method. For small cracks, we typically use a liquid asphalt emulsion that erases cracks and provides a watertight seal.

To fix large cracks, we use hot, rubberized asphalt sealants to complete repair work. When solving problems with potholes, we may need to excavate the damaged area, clean out the hole, and then fill it with hot or cold patch asphalt. During an initial consultation, we’ll inspect the surface and recommend asphalt damage repair methods that align with your goals.

Why Should You Move Quickly to Repair Cracks in an Asphalt Driveway?

When reducing safety hazards and preventing further deterioration is your goal, it’s wise to move quickly to repair cracks in an asphalt driveway system. Cracks form due to thermal expansion, contraction, water infiltration, heavy traffic loads, and the asphalt’s natural aging process. Timely repairs help you preserve your driveway’s structural integrity, aesthetics, and value.

How Much Does Driveway Paving Cost?

The cost of driveway paving varies widely depending on several factors, including the paving material used, the size and layout of your driveway, local labor and material costs, and any additional features or services required.

What Factors Affect the Lifespan of an Asphalt Driveway?

Several factors can have a significant impact on your asphalt driveway’s longevity, including:

• Quality of installation: Proper thickness and compaction are crucial.
• Weather: Extreme weather conditions can accelerate wear and tear.
• Maintenance: Regular sealcoating, crack filling, and resurfacing are essential.
• Traffic load: Heavy vehicles or frequent traffic can cause more wear and tear.
• Subgrade stability: The underlying soil condition affects your driveway’s durability.
• Drainage: Proper drainage prevents water damage.
• Tree roots: Nearby trees can damage your asphalt surface.
• Chemical exposure: Gasoline, oil, and de-icing salts can deteriorate your asphalt.

Beacon asphalt and sealcoating services

R. Stanley Paving LLC driveway paving services for Beacon residential clients include:

• Driveway resurfacing
• Overlays
• Driveway asphalt repairs
• Sealcoating

• Grading
• Clearing
• Driveway tear-outs

Asphalt sealcoating, for your blacktop driveway by R. Stanley Paving LLC actually saves money while protecting your initial paving investment. Specially developed sealcoating formulas reduce the effects of the wear and tear that the average or highly traveled residential driveway endures.

How Will You Know When It’s Time to Resurface Your Driveway?

Is your driveway starting to show signs of damage that make you wonder if resurfacing is a better option than investing in more driveway repairs? Look for extensive cracking, potholes, surface erosion, and drainage issues that could indicate the need for a full replacement. Replacements are more expensive upfront but a new driveway will prevent a buildup of costly repairs in the future.

What’s the Difference Between Driveway Repaving and Overlays?

The terms "driveway repaving" and "overlays" refer to different methods of restoring and improving asphalt driveways. Repaving involves completely removing the existing asphalt surface and installing a fresh, new driveway.

An overlay is a surface layer added to an existing driveway. It’s a less invasive and more wallet-friendly option, but it’s not always the right choice. Examining your existing surface, budget, goals, and expectations will help you determine the right course of action for completing your driveway repair and maintenance project.

How Thick Should Asphalt Driveway Paving Be?

The thickness of asphalt driveway paving typically depends on the expected traffic load, soil conditions, and climate.

Here’s a general guideline for asphalt driveway thickness:

• Base layer: The base layer, also known as the sub-base, provides the foundation for your driveway and helps distribute the load evenly. It usually consists of compacted aggregate or gravel and should be at least 4 to 6 inches thick.
• Asphalt layer: The top layer of asphalt, known as the wearing course, provides a smooth, durable surface for the driveway. For residential driveways, this layer is typically applied at a thickness of 2 to 3 inches after compaction.

In areas with heavy traffic or harsh weather conditions, thicker asphalt layers may be recommended to ensure the longevity and durability of your driveway.

Do You Need a Permit to Have a Driveway Installed?

Permit requirements can vary depending on local regulations, zoning ordinances, and the specifics of your project.

Here are some steps you can take to find out if your paving project requires a permit:

• Contact local construction authorities: Contact the city’s building department. They’ll provide information on whether a permit is needed for driveway installation and guide you through the application process.
• Check zoning regulations: Review the city’s zoning regulations to see if there are any specific requirements or restrictions related to driveway installation. Zoning ordinances may dictate setback requirements, driveway dimensions, and other criteria.
• Submit a permit application: If a permit is required, you’ll need to submit a permit application to the appropriate department. This may include providing project details and site plans and paying applicable fees.
• Wait for approval: Once you’ve submitted your permit application, it’ll be reviewed by city officials. When everything meets the requirements, your permit will be approved, and you’ll be authorized to proceed with your driveway installation.