The following information is intended to answer frequently asked questions regarding your project. It is broken up into the following sections for easy reference:
- Do I need a permit for my job?
Most likely yes. We encourage you to visit the Permits & Regulations section of our website for more information.
- Will salt harm my new asphalt pavement?
No. However, be careful as it may harm your concrete sidewalks, concrete curb and concrete garage floor.
- How long should we stay off our new asphalt pavement?
If possible, it is best to keep vehicles off of your new driveway for two days.
- Why do some areas of the new asphalt pavement look different than other areas?
Irregular texture in your driveway may have occurred because of the need to perform some handwork in conjunction with machine paving.
- Can I store my RV or trailer on my driveway?
If you store stationary vehicles or equipment on your driveway (i.e. RV’s, trailers, etc.), it is recommended that you distribute the weight by placing plywood under all points of surface contact.
- My new asphalt pavement appears to be scuffing. Why is this happening?
The problem of automobile and truck tires leaving scuff marks on new asphalt pavement is a problem that crops up every summer, most particularly during long stretches of hot humid weather. The problem is generally of a temporary and superficial nature. Tire scuffing generally only affects the top 1/16” to 3/16” of the pavement surface. It is always caused by a fairly concentrated maneuver or rotation of a tire in a stationary or braking mode. Please read the following document to better understand this issue: Avoiding Tire Scuffs
- My new asphalt pavement is higher than the yard. What should I do about this?
For best results, it is highly recommended that you backup the edges of your driveway with topsoil or stone. This helps to support the pavement edge. If you use topsoil, you must leave it down approximately ¾” – 1” from the top of the driveway surface (to prevent hairline cracks from forming along the edges as the topsoil settles). Please read the following document to better understand how to properly protect the edges of pavement : Protecting Pavement Edges
- There are hairline cracks forming along the edges of my new asphalt pavement. What is happening?
You must follow our guidelines for properly protecting the edges of the pavement. Most likely you used topsoil and placed it flush with the top surface of the driveway. As the topsoil settled, it bonded to the pavement edge and pulled the pavement edge down with it, forming small, hairline cracks along the edge. To alleviate this situation, you must remove some of the topsoil so that it is ¾” – 1” from the top of the driveway surface. You may seal the cracks with an outdoor, flexible silicon sealer once they are clean and dry. Please read the following document to better understand how to properly protect the edges of pavement : Protecting Pavement Edges
- Do I need to seal coat my driveway or parking lot?
Seal coating prevents oxidation of the asphalt cement binder in pavement. This, in turn, prevents water damage, beautifies the pavement, reduces maintenance costs and adds years of life to the pavement. More importantly, seal coating protects your driveway from the harmful effects of gasoline or oil spills.
- How long do I need to wait before seal coating my new driveway or parking lot?
You must wait at least three months before seal coating your new pavement. Many manufacturers of sealer recommend waiting even longer (6 – 12 months). This allows the pavement to cure properly.
- What type of sealer should I use?
Like most products you buy, you get what you pay for. The sealer you buy should be fortified with coal tar for added fuel resistance.
- How much sealer will I need?
It will depend on the type of sealer you buy and the current condition of your pavement. New pavement that has never been sealed tends to use more sealer than older pavement that has been sealed before. We recommend that you follow the coverage calculation directions on the pail. We also recommend that you purchase more than you think you may need because unused pails can easily be returned. The last thing you want to do is have to stop during the middle of the process and get cleaned up to go buy more.
- Should seal coating be performed annually?
No. Sealing your asphalt too much can lead to many problems. The first two coats of sealer applied to your asphalt are what really protect it. Anything after this is usually for cosmetic purposes. Sealer applied annually tends to crack and flake after about 10 years of annual applications or less and may even crack the surface of the pavement. This may influence the owner to resurface prematurely. To sum up, too much maintenance is not a good return on investment. Other problems caused by over sealing are tracking, creating slippery surfaces, and a creating a smaller balance in your checkbook.
- If I seal my new pavement, will it become slick?
Seal coating your driveway does make it somewhat smoother because the sealer fills the natural voids in the pavement. However, unless the slope is steep, it is usually not slippery. If you have some concerns regarding traction, you may consider using a sealer that has sand in it.
- Do you recommend any seal coat contractors?
We recommend George Weller Construction.
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