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 My driveway is pretty steep. The contractor recommended putting 2" of base layer (in Ohio it's grade 301) instead of using top coat 404. He said that it would be stronger and better traction, and that it wouldn't "look any different" to me. The contract says "rolled to smooth compaction". When they did the job, they used the roller only on some sections of the driveway (said they couldn't get it up the steep slope), and instead used a vibrating thing about the size of a push lawn mower, and some areas were only tamped.
After they paved, the pavement had several areas with a visible wave, a 2 ft diameter half-circle that was raised, and an 8 ft trail of footprints. There are several areas where the asphalt aggregate looks loose and not compressed into the pavement - so there's air gaps between the rocks. One of the crew said that's the nature of base layer having larger rocks.
They returned and did what they called "sanding in". Basically they raked in a small amount of 404, heated with a torch, and tamped it down. They did not use a roller or the vibrator equipment for these repairs.
The driveway looks worse and not like a new driveway. There's obvious visual differences since the driveway surface is mostly base layer, and some areas with 404 sanded in. There are still visible footprints and rough spots. There is now areas where the pavement looks scraped - I'm guessing from the scoop on the bobcat. There's one area where the pavement looks white almost like a light coat of spray paint. They didn't appear to do anything to the areas where the asphalt rocks look kind of loose without the smaller goop binding them. The pavement is also uneven in color - some areas are brownish, and not the dark black. Oh and the new curb is ugly, much taller than the original curb.
Is it possible for any or all of these defects to be smoothed out? If so, what's the correct way for that to be done?
I haven't received the bill yet, and not sure how much latitude the industry considers for the "rolled to smooth compaction" stated in the contract. I don't want to be unreasonable, but to me this doesn't look like a new driveway.
Answer Hi Ellen!
OH BOY, this is a tough one. The only thing that I can tell you is that the only way to remedy all of these issues is to have another layer of asphalt installed over the existing--as there is no way possible to fix everything. Sealcoating would remedy some of the issues, but you shouldn't sealcoat until next year.
What should be done: a 'scratch' coat of asphalt should be applied in the 'wave' areas to even everything out. Then another layer (no less than 1 1/2" thick) should be installed over top of that.
Before you pay the bill, you and your contractor have some negotiating to do. It's not unreasonable to be unhappy with all of those issues. Realizing that virtually impossible for asphalt to be perfect due to a myriad of factors--this is definitely in the unacceptable range. So, see what you can work out with your contractor--but give him the chance first, before seeking other alternatives.
You have so many things that you are unhappy with, and I don't blame you. I could give you reasons as to why these things are happening, but it wouldn't be an excuse as to why your driveway should look like it does. So, see what your contractor will do--and please if you have any other questions--contact me.
Sarah Leech
ASAP Asphalt Sealing And Paving Co.
"We're Kickin' Asphalt"
