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 I'm looking to have my driveway re-paved. It's cracked and has deep ruts. I'm in the Northeast where we get freezing temperatures. I've had some estimates on the job and I've received different suggestions on the binder and top coat thickness. Some have indicated 1" binder and 1" top coat while another has suggested 1 1/2" of each. Will it make a difference. I only drive my cars on it however, I do drive a large SUV. I don't want the driveway to get ruts again too soon.
Thanks
Answer Hey Mike!
Part of the challenge when getting bids on asphalt is the fact that you will always get different opinions on what exactly to do--especially when the contractors have different levels of experience.
So, I will tell you a few things: Never, never, never go with anything less than 1 1/2" of asphalt for either the binder or the top. So throw the bids away that are recommending that--the ruts are sure to come back cause the asphalt isn't going to last with only an 1". Some of the aggregate in the asphalt mix is larger than an inch and you will have voids because the paver will pull that aggregate off.
Also, a large SUV will leave ruts in an 1" of asphalt too. Trust me--I have one!
So here is what my suggestion would be (and we have been in business for over 40 years so the experience is on our side): You have three options: a good, better and a best, you might say:
GOOD: 1. Install a 'scratch' coat of binder first in the ruts to even out driveway to make a smooth surface to begin with. 2. Install 2" of binder. 3. Install 1 1/2" of top.
BETTER: 1. Remove the asphalt in only the ruts to the existing stone base. 2. Stabilize the ruts by adding new stone base and properly compact. 3. Install 2" of binder. 4. Install 1 1/2" of top.
BEST: 1. Remove ALL the old asphalt to the existing stone base. 2. Stabilize the existing stone base by proof rolling and adding new stone base as necessary. 3. Install 2" of binder. 4. Install 1 1/2" top.
And it goes without saying (but I will say it anyway) that you must trust your contractor. Look at the warranty and his proof of insurance beforehand. There are definitely more shotty contractors out there than us good ones--but if you don't find on right away, keep looking. The right one is out there for you.
Hope this helps Mike!
Sarah Leech
ASAP Asphalt Sealing And Paving Co.
"We're Kickin' Asphalt!"
