Frequently Asked Questions

A: Apply a "seal" coat within six months to one year of installation of new asphalt. Check for longitudinal cracks and have them filled annually.

Additionally, we recommend applying a "seal" every three to five years, depending on wear. This will help prevent deterioration of your pavement due to the sun's rays, gasoline, traffic and the weather elements.

A: Inadequate thickness of the pavement section to support the loads that travel across the asphalt, lack of maintenance, and weak or unstable subgrade components.

Asphalt deteriorates when "fines" aggregates are worn away by weather and traffic. When the "fines" are worn away, there is nothing to bind the larger aggregates together and the surface begins to ravel. This weakens the pavement section and eventually allows water to penetrate the subgrade, which leads to pavement failure.

A: The damaged area(s) will get much worse if not fixed before winter. By doing so, the new patches will be able to cure until the spring, at which time you can sealcoat the entire job.

A: The sun heats up the binder cement, which depletes the holding characteristics of the chemical compounds in the dried liquid asphalt. This enables the stone to loosen up and fall away into curbsides, ditches, and storm drains.

A: The sooner the better. Any crack, which is ¼-inch or wider in the pavement, will allow moisture to penetrate to the subsurface. The goal of a good pavement management plan should be to keep the moisture from entering the asphalt pavement.

A: Fatigue cracks are the direct result of excessive bending of the pavement surface. Asphalt will fail if subjected to repetitive or excessive bending as from vehicular traffic.

A: Proper crack repair procedures can double the life of most asphalt pavements. A surface, which is five to ten years old, will usually need a ton of sealant per lane mile and will last up to ten years.

A: Underlayment fabric serves as a waterproofing membrane between the existing surface and the new surface. It adds about one inch of proportionate asphalt strength to the overlay. It also aids in slowing the migration of cracks from the underlying surface to the new one. Ultimately, underlayment fabric significantly extends the life expectancy of a new asphalt surface.

A: Yes. The price of asphalt will always be affected by crude oil prices, which fluctuate when supplies vary. But, paving companies with multi-site, multi-regional projects have more buying power at asphalt plants, which means valuable savings for clients.

A: It depends on the job. For asphalt resurfacing, depending upon the temperature of the day, one should allow 2 to 6 hours before using the new lot. Sealcoating needs a 24-hour drying (curing) time after work is completed. Do not allow traffic on your lot before the end of the 24-hour drying period.

For all other services, a set time frame should be suggested to you from your contractor.