Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about asphalt driveway installation. If you have a question that hasn’t been answered, ask a question in the comments box below or Contact Us!
How Much Does It Cost To Install An Asphalt Driveway?
Should A Base Be Installed Prior To Paving A Driveway?
What Is The Proper Way To Grade A Driveway Before Paving?
How Important Is Drainage Planning?
Recycled Asphalt Driveways – To Have Installed or Not To Have Installed!
How Thick Should An Asphalt Driveway Be?
How Should The Edges Finished On An Asphalt Driveway?
How Are Transitions Into The Garage, Sidewalks and Streets Handled?
How Wide Should An Asphalt Driveway Be?
Can My Existing Asphalt Driveway Be Overlayed?
How Thick Should An Overlay Be On An Asphalt Driveway?
I have just had a driveway installed and I am not happy with it. The contractor used a tamping machine instead of a roller and I don’t think it did as good a job. There are some spots that seem like they will keep small amounts of water and one area about 8×11 inches that definately didn’t get touched by the tamper. What should I do? What should I expect from a reputable company? The old asphalt was removed, then graded, tamped and the new stuff put on top of that and tamped down. I didn’t drive on it for a week expecting the contractor to come back and put down a finish coat or something to smooth it out. That hasn’t happened yet, two weeks have gone by.
Yes, it was the lowest bid. Now I know why I suppose, unless he fixes it. Thanks for your articles and videos as they have helped me know more about asphalt. I sure wish I had found this site before I had the work done.
Your response is appreciated.
I have just had a driveway installed and I am not happy with it. The contractor used a tamping machine instead of a roller and I don’t think it did as good a job. There are some spots that seem like they will keep small amounts of water and one area about 8×11 inches that definately didn’t get touched by the tamper. What should I do? What should I expect from a reputable company? The old asphalt was removed, then graded, tamped and the new stuff put on top of that and tamped down. I didn’t drive on it for a week expecting the contractor to come back and put down a finish coat or something to smooth it out. That hasn’t happened yet, two weeks have gone by.
Yes, it was the lowest bid. Now I know why I suppose, unless he fixes it. Thanks for your articles and videos as they have helped me know more about asphalt. I sure wish I had found this site before I had the work done.
Your response is appreciated.
Please contact us and let’s see what we can do to help!
I just had a new asphalt driveway installed. When the old concrete was removed the ground underneath was very soft. I was told a stone/dirt base was needed as well as an asphalt base, which looked much more coarse that the finish coat. This added 3000 dollars to the cost. I was told not do drive on it for two weeks. After the two weeks I parked on it overnight when the the cars were removed there were 1/2″ to 5/8″ divots under the tire area. Temps were in the 50-60s. Is this normal for a new driveway, or was this done improperly? I should add I tried to use your referral service but you had none in my area.
Kenny
Hi Kenny,
No this is not normal. And the fact that you were told not to drive on it for 2 weeks is not normal either. Asphalt can be driven on as soon as it cools down. That’s unfortunate we didn’t have anyone in your area.
Do you have any pictures you can add?
I am retired and on a fixed income so I decided to go with recycled asphalt for my driveway 2 weeks ago. They installed it 3 1/2 inches thick and rolled it. They told me for curing to use a non-fiber coating and mix it with diesel fuel and spray it on. To me this doesn’t sound right and I would like your opinion.
NO!! That is a 100% SCAM!!!
I have just received several quotes to replace my asphalt driveway and to expand it. My questions is that a couple of the quotes include a binder/topcoat one year later – others don’t mention this. Can you explain what this about and what I should be asking of the contractors who didn’t include this (or appear to). Thanks
Without knowing where you’re at in the country and the industry standards in your area. If you can send us copies of your estimates, we can give you a much better explanation. Send a copy to help@allaboutdriveways.com!
Hi. We just had my mom’s double driveway paved in asphalt. (Previously it was cement) I am concerned because the guys (4-5) came unexpectedly to my moms house last Friday and it was about 34/35 degrees out. (Apparently the office made an error in sending them that day instead of this week.) It happened so fast by the time my mom’s aide became aware they were working they were near done. So I will actually see it tomorrow for the first time but there are concerns about the work due to the weather. (They said they used heated asphalt so it should not be a concern.) There was some initial white streaks which I assumed was some kind of steam stains, but it washed off today with the rain as per my mom’s aide. But, today the aide noticed a few 10-20″ surface lines. Is this something I should be concerned about?? Ugh They told us not to drive on it for 5 days.
Sounds a little odd for 2 reasons. #1) “They said they used heated asphalt so it should not be a concern.” Used heated asphalt as opposed to? All asphalt is heated unless it’s recycled asphalt in which case it wouldn’t matter what the temperatures were. Industry standards of hot asphalt installation calls for 50 degrees and rising temperatures. #2) “They told us not to drive on it for 5 days.” Once an asphalt driveway installed properly is completely cooled down, it can be driven on. Staying off of it for 5 days will make absolutely no difference whatsoever. That statement raises red flags. I’d like to know who the company is and see your contract. I’ll be able to tell just by those 2 things whether you had a good job done or not. You can always file a complaint and we can investigate for you. File a complaint by clicking on this link: https://allaboutdriveways.com/asphalt-driveways/file-a-complaint/
Not normal at all. Not nearly enough compaction.
Sounds like a lazy contractor who doesn’t care . If he didn’t follow the contract he’s already in breach of it. Not a very smart move on his part.