1. Why should you pave? Of course, a paved driveway creates an inviting and aesthetically pleasing entry into your home.  But more importantly, especially in our area, it is the convenience and necessity of paving that most consumers look for.  Living in the foothills provides challenges, often including long driveways and lots of wet winter weather.  Anyone who has ever had to splash through puddles and mud to get “home” knows the frustration.  And of course, the damage to the unpaved road itself can be considerable and expensive to repair. 

2. What is paving material made of? We only use hot mix asphalt, which is an engineered mixture of aggregate (stones and sand), with liquid asphalt cement, a petroleum product, that has been liquefied at about 300 degrees.  While the mixture is still hot, it is delivered to the site.  It is then paved on top of a base that has already been prepared.  It is then compacted to a desired thickness.  There are many benefits to using hot mix asphalt, including strength and durability.  It is also engineered to withstand freezing and thawing (very important in our area) and is unaffected by salt.

3. Asphalt vs. Concrete: The cost factor alone usually deters people from choosing concrete.  But there are other reasons to consider as well. Concrete is more rigid, whereas asphalt is designed to flex and give with slight settlements or frost heave. Paving is a quicker process, and can be done almost year round.  Concrete must have ideal temperatures for proper curing.

4. What you should expect when dealing with a contractor? A thorough site inspection and communication prevents costly surprises.  References are very valuable, and getting more than one bid is important. 
   
5. My driveway is paved, now what? Care and maintenance of asphalt - About 24 hours after the crew has finished paving, it is fine to drive on it.  Paved driveways are virtually maintenance free and will give you years of effective service. 

6. Sealing: A high-grade asphalt emulsion sealer should be applied every two to five years.  Driveways that are sealed regularly look better and have a longer life span.  Sealant is made up of water mixed with hot, liquefied, asphalt cement.  Once applied, the water evaporates, the material hardens and the surface is waterproof.  For driveways with slopes, some sealers contain sharp sand that will provide added traction.