Paving
Click Here to download our Driveway Paving brochure (pdf 792K)
Things to consider when choosing a paving contractor
- How long has the contractor been in business?
- Does the contractor have the necessary equipment to do a quality job
or is it done by hand?
- Is the contractor able to supply names and references?
- Is the contractor registered with the Better Business Bureau?
- Do they guarantee their work? Don't be fooled by long term guarantees.
Important considerations
in receiving a quality job.
 |
Make
sure the driveway has sufficient gravel under it. We like to see
12" minimum; and commercial jobs should have 18". More
gravel is always better than less.
If the driveway
is soft, this poor material should be excavated before new gravel
is placed. Remember asphalt should not be placed on unstable material. |
Drainage is vital
on all work. Water should run away from a foundation. If this doesn't
exist, high spots should be lowered or additional gravel placed to raise
the grade.
The asphalt thickness
on a driveway should be a minimum of 2" rolled with commercial work
being thicker (usually 2 ½" - 3"). Be sure the thickness
quoted is after it is rolled out as it can vary ½" or more.
Don't be fooled by the thickness of a hand tamped edge as it gives the
appearance that the asphalt is thicker than it really is. If you want
to check thickness, hammer a spike through the surface and measure it.
When recapping or
paving over an existing surface, remember the condition of the existing
asphalt determines the longevity of the second lift. If crackage is excessive,
the broken asphalt should be excavated first and patched before the second
lift is applied. There are some driveways that cannot be recapped.
Will-Kare Paving
and Contracting Limited has specialized in the residential and commercial
paving market since its inception in 1974. Nearly half of our staff have
been with us for more than 10 years, with several employees having over
20 years of service. This has helped ensure quality work while maintaining
that personal touch and special care often desired by our clients. Our
state of the art equipment helps to assure quality and reliability.
In addition to our
extensive client job portfolio, there are many features you will find
at Will-Kare that you will not find elsewhere. We firmly stand behind
our one year warranty, a sure sign that we are confident in the work we
do and will rectify any concerns or problems with our work.
For additional information on paving driveways, visit www.hotmix.org
Driveway Care & Maintenance
Unlike concrete, an asphalt driveway has the properties of strength and flexibility, which make it ideal for colder temperature regions that are prone to freeze/thaw conditions.
In hotter temperatures although, the pavement is soft and pliable and prone to distress if care is not exercised. Common problems associated with this softening include placing items like lawn chairs, bicycle and motorcycle kickstands that concentrate their weight over a small area. Use of a wood block to distribute the weight is advisable. Car tires tend to scuff the surface of the driveway particularly when turning the steering wheel if the car is not moving. Additionally, vehicles that are excessively heavy, i.e. fuel truck, concrete truck etc, can depress your new driveway and should be avoided, specifically on the hotter days.
Furthermore, the driveway is designed to handle passenger vehicle type traffic, and heavier vehicles even in cooler temperatures will cause some level of pavement distress. As the driveway hardens and cures with time, the risk of damaging the driveway will decrease.
Your driveway may look smoother in some areas than in others because of the makeup of the hot mix asphalt. It is comprised of various sizes of stone, sand and liquid asphalt. Often areas that are constructed by hand may show a different texture than those placed by machine.
The edges of your driveway are the weakest due to the lack of side support. Avoid driving on the edges as they will crack and crumble over time. We suggest building the sides of the driveway up with topsoil and placing some sod to provide support.
Avoid gasoline, oil, antifreeze, power steering and transmission fluid spills and leaks, as they will dilute the liquid asphalt in your driveway, weakening the pavement bond.
Hairline cracks may develop over the winter due to the expansion and contraction of the pavement. These cracks should be filled with crack filler to limit the ingress of water. Crack filler can be obtained at your local hardware store.
Additonal information can be found at www.asphaltinstitute.org - Surface Treatment - Driveway Construction
|
