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… Read more »
parishollow
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… Read more »
patmatt
Please contact us and let’s see what we can do to help!
Kenny Sutch
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… Read more »
patmatt
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?
Robert
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.
patmatt
NO!! That is a 100% SCAM!!!
mary
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
patmatt
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!
Sandra
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… Read more »
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… Read more »
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.
Jay Hall
So I’m getting quotes now and Its almost November, maybe have someone come out end of November early December, should I wait till summer to get my 700 foot of driveway done? I hear its better to get assault in the summer. Im located in South Carolina so it doesn’t get too cold around here.
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… Read more »
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… Read more »
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… Read more »
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… Read more »
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… Read more »
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.
So I’m getting quotes now and Its almost November, maybe have someone come out end of November early December, should I wait till summer to get my 700 foot of driveway done? I hear its better to get assault in the summer. Im located in South Carolina so it doesn’t get too cold around here.
Asphalt should be installed in temperatures that are 40 degrees and rising. It doesn’t get below 40 degrees there?