Since the liquid asphalt in the blacktop needs time to harden and cure, usually six to 12 months, your driveway will remain soft and pliable until then. You may walk on your driveway immediately, but keep automobile traffic off of it for at least three full days, or longer in hotter temperatures. Even after the blacktop has cured, do not expect it to be as hard as concrete. We do not recommend protective sealing. We suggest a two-year waiting period to allow asphalt time to oxidize. Get in touch with our team of paving contractors to schedule an appointment for paving services.

Your new blacktop will soften and harden as temperatures rise and fall. Watering down your driveway with a hose on hot days will cool it down and temporarily harden the blacktop. This is helpful but not mandatory. If soap suds appear, then do not be alarmed. This is a reaction between the liquid found in the blacktop and the high chlorine content found in some city water. Blacktop may be scarred by automobiles starting out too fast, pulling in too quickly, and driving too fast. During the first six to 12 months while your driveway is curing, do not park in the same spot every time. If you have further questions about caring for your driveway, get in touch with our crew of paving contractors today!

The compaction procedure may occasionally cause stains on the driveway surface due to the oxidation from the steel drums on the rollers. These stains or streak marks are surface only and will fade as the surface wears. Your driveway may look smoother in some areas than in others because of the makeup of the blacktop. Blacktop has various sizes of stone, sand, liquid asphalt, and other ingredients which cause a varied texture of the surface. Also, blacktop areas that have been raked and spread with hand tools may appear different in texture from those spread by machine, which is part of the normal paving process. To schedule an appointment with one of our paving contractors, give us a call today!

Although every effort is made to avoid puddles in your driveway, some small ones are inevitable. This is dependent on the natural slope and drainage of your ground. Any areas with less than a 2% slope can develop small puddles. Grade changes or drainage work should be considered in these areas. Give us a call today to receive a free estimate from one of our paving contractors.

Take a look at a few of the most common mistakes to avoid after getting your driveway paved by dependable paving contractors.

• Don't turn your wheels back and forth when your car isn't moving.
• Avoid using jack stands or car ramps unless a piece of plywood is placed under them to help distribute the weight.
• Excess weight from large, heavy vehicles can depress your new blacktop.
• Keep oil trucks, concrete trucks, and any other heavy trucks off your new driveway.
• When storing campers for long periods of time place a piece of plywood under the tongue jack.
• Lawn chairs, bicycle or motorcycle kickstands, and ladders exert weight on concentrated areas and will create holes and depressions in your new driveway.
• Watch out for those pointy high heels during the warm months when your driveway is new.

The edges are the weakest part of your driveway due to the lack of support. Avoid driving on the edges since they will crack and crumble in time. We suggest building up the sides of your driveway with topsoil. This will support the edges and enhance the appearance after the grass has grown. Give us a call today to schedule an appointment for paving services with our team of paving contractors.