About Sarah Leech Expertise Our family asphalt business has been proudly installing and sealcoating driveways and commercial parking lots for over 40 years. I welcome any and all questions about the asphalt sealcoating and/or asphalt paving of your driveway and/or parking lot. How to's for do it yourself sealcoaters, professional advice for your commercial parking lots, what products and tools to use; and what not to use. Tips, tricks and general useful knowledge in an area where most people don't know where to look for help!
Experience I grew up in the family business of asphalt paving. For 11 years I was the VP of the family asphalt business and now at 34, I own my own company, ASAP Asphalt Sealing And Paving Co. Currently, ASAP Asphalt is one of the largest asphalt sealcoating companies in Western PA!
Organizations Peters Township Chamber of Commerce
Building Trades Association
Education/Credentials Graduated from Peters Township High School 1992
BA in Psychology from Slippery Rock University 1997
National Pavement Expo Convention 2006
Awards and Honors Member of Manchester Who's Who
Past/Present Clients Babies-R-Us
The Home Depot,
Liberty Mutual,
Consol Development,
PNC Bank,
Kohl's,
Sheraton,
Red Roof Inn,
Michael's,
Question QUESTION: I had my driveway torn up and redone last August. In February, I noticed it started to crack. In addition, I see about 7 spots where grass is growing up close to the edges of the driveway. I also have the rough spots mentioned in many other posts. What's your take on the situation?
ANSWER: Hi Sue!
This is a common problem in areas where there is a freeze/thaw cycle. I am not sure what area you are in but here in PA we see it alot. When water penetrates underneath the asphalt it freezes in the winter months. When it freezes it will expand and contract which will move anything on top of it. Therefore, the cracks are appearing, and it's certainly someplace where grass will grow as well.
The concern is that it's happening already. When you say torn up and redone, do you mean they removed the stone base and all? Did they start from scratch? Or did they just take only the top layer off and give you a new top layer?
If the case was starting from scratch, you definitely need to have your contractor come on out and take a peek. There are so many factors when dealing with asphalt that's it's hard for me to have an opinion either way. The one who will know best is your contractor--if he's reputable.
Factors include: the amount of stone base, what was there before the driveway ever existed, the type of asphalt, the type of stone, the amount of asphalt, the weather, the installation method, and so on.
So, I can't say either way. All I can say is that your contractor needs to come out and let you know what's going on. Any reputable contractor will have a warranty for at least a year on their work, and you are in the realm of that right now. But don't wait because August is fast approaching.
Good luck Sue, and if you have any questions after speaking with your contractor, please let me know!
Sarah Leech
ASAP Asphalt Sealing and Paving Co.
"We're Kickin' Asphalt!"
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: The driveway was started from scratch.
Today I noticed a spot, about an inch around where the dirt is coming thru...the blacktop is all pebbly and breaking up. I had another contractor come and look and he said it's not even an inch and a half thick....
After about a dozen calls the contractor that did the work, says he is coming tomorrow to look at it.
I wonder if I even want him to repair it since he did such a poor job to begin with---- do you have any suggestions?
Answer I am sorry for the delay Sue, as your contractor has already come to look at the driveway--but here is my opinion:
There are so many factors that are beyond our (as contractors) control and I would definitely give him a chance to fix it. But make sure the solution is a win-win situation for everyone--as it's hard to be completely perfect when it comes to asphalt.
So, now that you have talked to him--let me know what you decided--or if I can help you in any way.
