My driveway is in bad shape and I will be in the market for a new one in the next 2 years. As an engineer in the heavy highway construction industry, I have a lot of experience with paving highways. I have spoken with some of the best paving contractors in New York and New Jersey about what to ask when getting quotes for your driveway.
Replace the Base?
Underneath your asphalt driveway is a compacted layer of base material, consisting of dirt and gravel. The base material is vital to having a driveway that will be durable and last at least 25 years. If you have large cracks, dips, uneven areas, or settlement at the corners, the base layer is the culprit. This means that you cannot just replace the asphalt, you need to replace the base layer.
After a contractor replaces the base layer, it needs to sit at least a month for natural settlement and compaction to occur. Contractor that tell you they can mill up the new asphalt and repave in the same day are going to give you a bad product. Even if they offer to compact the base layer, you still need to let it settle on its own. You also want to park your vehicles on the base layer so the weight of them in the position you plan on parking them will compact the base.
If you are replacing your driveway because it has significant wear, but does not exhibit the conditions mentioned above, you do not need to replace the base.
Thickness
When discussing thickness it is important to understand if its the thickness before or after compaction. If you want a 2″ thick driveway, the paving machine will put down 2.5″ and compact to 2″. The rule of thumb is to add 1/4″ per 1″ of desired thickness. If you want a 3″ thick driveway, they will need to first install 3.75″and compact down to 3″.
The thicker the driveway, the higher the cost; however, the labor/equipment to pave 3″ vs 2″ is the same. The increase in price is purely the the material and asphalt itself is cheap. I recommend a 3″ driveway, not a 2″. A 3″ driveway will last longer and provide more strength if you have heavier vehicles.
Temperature
Once the paving begins, the most important thing is the temperature of the asphalt. You want the asphalt to be laid at 300 degrees F at a minimum. This means you need to take into account the temperature that time of year and how many trucks the contractor is bringing for your size driveway. If you have a big driveway and the contractor says 1 full truck will do, ask him how long it will take. I won’t let a contractor use 1 truck that sits for hours on end. If the contractor is bringing 2 trucks, make sure they are spaced out. You do NOT want the second truck of asphalt just sitting there getting cold.
Do Not Drive on a Fresh Driveway for AT LEAST 3 Days
Sealing a New Driveway
Do not let a contractor talk you into sealing a brand new driveway, it’s a waste of money. You need to wait at least 90 days after a driveway is installed before sealing it, otherwise the sealer will get soaked in and not do it’s job. Ask the contractor to come back in 3 months and do the sealing.
Conclusion
Talk to neighbors, use Google, and read online reviews to get an estimate of how much it costs for a new driveway ($/SF) in your area. You can measure your driveway and have a rough idea of what cost to expect. Always get a minimum of 3 quotes, and ask questions about the base, temperature, and sealing. Asking technical questions will also show the contractor you know what you are talking about. If the price is too good to be true, then it is!
