Q&A

Q. How long should I wait before walking or driving on my new driveway?

Since the liquid asphalt in blacktop needs time to harden and cure, usually 6-12 months, your driveway will remain soft and pliable until then. You may walk on your new driveway immediately, but keep automobile traffic off of it for at least 3 full days and longer in hotter temperatures. Even after the black top has cured, do not expect it to be as hard as concrete.

Q. It seems like my driveway gets soft sometimes. Is there a problem with the asphalt that was used?

Your new blacktop will soften and harden as temperatures rise and fall. Watering down your driveway with a hose on hot days will cool and temporarily harden the blacktop. This is helpful but not mandatory. If soapsuds should appear, do not be alarmed. This is a reaction between the diesel fuel found in blacktop and a high chlorine content found in some city water. Although every effort is made to avoid puddles in your driveway, some small ones are inevitable depending on the natural slope and drainage of your ground.

Q. How can I prevent scaring on my new driveway?

Cars starting out too fast, pulling in too quickly, and just plain driving too fast can scar blacktop.
During the first 6-12 months while the blacktop is curing, don’t park in the same spot every time. Do not turn your steering wheel back and forth when your car is not moving. Avoid using jack stands or car ramps unless a piece of plywood is placed under them to help distribute the weight.

Q. My neighbor got a new driveway about two months ago. I can already see tire marks where they park. How can I avoid this from happening when my driveway is resurfaced?

Excessive 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 and also under the tires.

Q. The house I just bought has has holes in the driveway. They look like a pogo stick was used!
 
Lawn chairs, and bicycle or motorcycle kickstands exert weight on concentrated areas and will create holes and depressions in your new driveway. Especially watch out for pointy high heels during the warm months when your driveway is new.

Q. The edges of our driveway are cracking. What caused that?

The edges are the weakest part of your driveway due to the lack of side 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 grass is grown.

Q. Why is the texture of our pavement smooth in some places yet looks rough in others?
Your driveway may look smoother in some areas than in others because of the makeup of blacktop. Blacktop has various sizes of stone, sand, liquid asphalt, and other ingredients that 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. Chesapeake Paving works with quality materials to avoid this as much as possible.

Q. What can I do with the holes left in our driveway from a leaky transmission?

Avoid gasoline, oil, anti-freeze, power steering and transmission fluid spills and leaks. These will dilute the liquid asphalt in your blacktop. Any hole left by these spills should be filled with cold patch. Any hairline cracks that may have developed over the winter due to the contraction and expansion of the ground should be filled with crack filler. These products can be purchased from your local building supply store. If the damage is more extensive, you will want a professional repair.  Call us for your FREE ESTIMATE.