FAQs

The primary distinction is that resurfacing or rehabilitation involves structural repairs designed to prolong the lifespan of your asphalt surface. This process includes any necessary patching and the application of a new overlay, typically ranging from one and a half to three inches of hot bituminous asphalt, based on our professional experience.

In contrast, sealcoating is not a structural repair; it can be compared to painting your house. While sealcoating protects and extends the life of your asphalt, it does not address any structural issues. As a result, sealcoating is considerably less expensive than resurfacing your driveway. Our asphalt contractors are available to answer any questions you might have about the process.

Almost all asphalt appears black. When aggregates (stones) are combined with hot asphalt cement, the resulting mixture takes on a black hue. However, as time passes and the asphalt oxidizes, the coating on the aggregates degrades, revealing the color of the aggregates beneath. If the asphalt plant uses lighter-colored aggregates, this can result in a 'grayish' appearance. We are eager to help you with your asphalt paving needs.

Depending on fluctuations in temperature from day to night, your new asphalt surface may require over 30 days to fully cure. Generally, though, you can drive on the surface after two to three days if you exercise caution. Our asphalt contractors are available to provide you with more information.

Tire scuff marks 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 become less noticeable. When you need asphalt paving, our team will be happy to tell you how to prevent scuff marks.

A critical aspect of producing a long-lasting asphalt paving job is the achievement of the proper compaction of your surface. In our professional experience, 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.

The edges or "shoulders" of your drive are one of the most vulnerable areas of the drive. If you put a lot of weight on the edge, say by driving your car or lawn mower right to the edge, there is the possibility that the edge will crack or break off if it is not properly supported.

We try to help the situation by creating a "beveled edge" on the side of the drive with a 45° angle to defuse the pressure. You can help by installing seeded topsoil against the finished height of the asphalt once the job is completed. Contact us today if you're in need of reliable asphalt paving.

Much like the repair of rot in a piece of wood on your house exterior, it is significantly cheaper to repair deteriorated areas before they start to spread than to wait and rehabilitate the entire drive. In our professional experience, a dollar spent on repairs in the first half of a driveway’s life will cost four to five dollars to repair at a later date. Contact us when you need asphalt paving, and we'd be happy to address any issues.

The need for sealcoating typically depends on the amount of direct sunlight and traffic an area receives. Based on our professional experience, a surface generally shouldn't require sealcoating more than once every three to four years. If a driveway is sealcoated too many times, it can become very smooth and slippery when it rains. If you have any questions about sealcoating, feel free to contact our asphalt contractors.

No, you cannot. As asphalt contractors, we often receive inquiries about this, but as Henry Ford famously stated, "You can have it in any color you want, as long as it is black."

Recently, a more environmentally friendly light gray sealer, which retains less heat, has been in development for commercial use. However, it is quite expensive and has not been widely adopted.

Aside from color, we consider this mainly a matter of personal preference, but there are two key differences to note. Asphalt paving provides a flexible surface that can adapt to usage and minor movements in the base. In contrast, concrete depends on its inherent strength to bear loads and compensate for weaknesses in the sub-base. Additionally, concrete is significantly more expensive than an asphalt surface of similar strength.

According to The Spruce, an asphalt driveway typically lasts for 15 to 20 years. Contact Advance Paving Co. INC today!