Do asphalt companies also do tar and chip paving?

• <div><p>Many asphalt companies have experience with tar and chip paving, but not all. The process is unique enough—and not incredibly common enough—that you may have to look around for a tar and chip specialist. However, speaking with a driveway company is a great place to start, especially if they have experience with multiple materials.</p></div>

Is it better to cut asphalt wet or dry?

• <div><p>Wet cutting is usually the preferred method. It controls dust, which helps protect your lungs and makes for a cleaner working environment. Plus, the water cools the blade, preventing overheating and prolonging its life while providing smoother, more precise cuts. The downside is the mess—water and asphalt sludge can be messy to clean. Dry cutting, though convenient if water isn’t available, creates a lot of dust, which can be harmful. This also increases the risk of blade damage due to overheating. So, if you have the option, wet cutting is the better method for most asphalt jobs. </p></div>

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Q: Is milled asphalt eco-friendly?

• <div><p>Yes, using recycled asphalt millings is an eco-friendly alternative compared to concrete. Millings are reclaimed pieces of gravel that are recycled into aggregate that can be used on driveways, patios, walkways, basketball courts, tennis courts, and more.</p></div>

Q: What is the most economical driveway material?

• <div><p>Gravel is the most economical and least expensive driveway material, costing between $1 and $3 per square foot. This is significantly cheaper than alternatives like asphalt or concrete. However, it's important to consider long-term costs, as gravel driveways require regular maintenance. You will likely need to add new gravel filling once or twice a year and regularly rake it to keep it level, which can add to the overall cost over time.</p></div>

Q: What’s the difference between asphalt and blacktop?

• <div><p>While blacktop is a type of asphalt, the terms should not be used interchangeably, as not all asphalt qualifies as blacktop. The primary differences are in their composition, production process, and ideal applications. Blacktop contains more stone than other types of asphalt and is heated to a higher temperature during production&mdash;300&deg;F or more&mdash;while hot-mix asphalt is heated to between 275&deg;F and 300&deg;F. The ratio of bitumen (a tar-like crude oil) is a key differentiator, though sources vary: some state blacktop has less bitumen, making it less durable, while others claim it has a higher ratio. Due to these differences, asphalt is generally more durable and better for high-traffic areas like highways and streets, while blacktop is more suitable for playgrounds and residential driveways. For a driveway project, it is best to consult a professional to determine the most appropriate material.</p></div>

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Verified Reviews for Asphalt Driveway Service pros in Smith River, CA

*The Angi rating for Asphalt Driveway Service companies in Smith River, CA is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Asphalt Driveway Service needs.

*The HomeAdvisor rating for Asphalt Driveway Service companies in Smith River, CA is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Asphalt Driveway Service needs.

Last update on February 25, 2026

Reviewed in February 2026
These guys are a scam. They scraped up my regular gravel road and replaced it with what they promised was recycled asphalt. My road a year later is riddled with potholes and has weeds growing at a tremendous rate. What I got is definitely not recycled as asphalt as you can tell. It has regular...
W Custom Paving, LLC
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Reviewed in May 2025
Joey is professional, courteous, and experienced. It was a pleasure to work with him and I feel relieved that I have someone local that I can call for septic repair issues.
Borges Septic
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Reviewed in September 2024
Michael arrived on time, cleaned up his space each day, and he charged us a fair price to install our flooring. We highly recommend him.
Michael Williams
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Reviewed in August 2024
My driveway has had a lot of problems for about 1 1/2 years now & has been a major headache to me. My husband would have known what to do about it, but I've been a widow for 2 1/2 years. I had contacted a local company initially, but they wouldnt be able to work on it until next summer (a year...
TWT Paving
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Reviewed in December 2023
Spray foam Fx traveled 3 hrs. to spray our building. Had some mechanical difficulties, fixed the issue, and stayed late to finish the job. They were polite and friendly, cleaned up the job site.
Spray Foam FX
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Reviewed in October 2023
TK Excavation came highly recommended to us to renovate and upgrade our gravel driveway. Jordan met with us personally, reviewed the project, gave us an estimate and based on our acceptance scheduled the work right away. We are so satisfied and based on his extra efforts the driveway was...
TK Excavation LLC
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Reviewed in July 2023
Everything went great. They removed all my old siding, fixed and reframed my walls, added allot of bigger windows and doors, built my shed/pump house. And it turned out great.
Alvarado Construction
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Reviewed in May 2023
Only issue was the time. When told theyÃ¢Â Â d be here Ã¢Â Â shortlyÃ¢Â Â I expected them within 30 minutes-not 1 1/2 hrs. They made sure squeak was gone.
Pacific Breeze Construction, LLC
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Reviewed in March 2023
We had a great experience with Advanced Pavers. From the initial meeting with Lacy who designed our project and offered her professional input, Caleb the project manager, Temo and his entire crew. You can tell how much pride everyone takes in their work. Edgar, the owner, came by every day to...
Advanced Interlocking Pavers
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Reviewed in October 2022
I would recommend him to anyone with any type of work regarding yard, and garden. I would highly recommend him for any type of long term maintenance he is always on even my weeds the second they appear, he is fabulous to work with. Lastly, he always shows up when he says he will and quickly.
S.I. Brothers Lawn Care
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Find Asphalt driveway pros in Smith River

Mega Power Electric, Inc

5.0(

191

)

Serving Smith River, CA and surrounding areas

In business since 2000

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Mega Power Electric is an excellent company to work with. Gary and his team are knowledgeable, honest, and will go out of their way to get the job done right. We installed panels and solar battery storage unit in our home and we're reaping the benefits of being clean and green."

+32

Recommended by100%of homeowners

Serving Smith River, CA and surrounding areas

In business since 1994

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"They were very professional through out the entire process and conscience of the weather when it came time to install, so that they would ensure there would be no damage to the roof in the process. They completed the project on time and it turned out great! I would absolutely use them again and recommend them to family and friends."

Recommended by59%of homeowners

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Asphalt Driveways questions, answered by experts

Many asphalt companies have experience with tar and chip paving, but not all. The process is unique enough—and not incredibly common enough—that you may have to look around for a tar and chip specialist. However, speaking with a driveway company is a great place to start, especially if they have experience with multiple materials.

Yes, using recycled asphalt millings is an eco-friendly alternative compared to concrete. Millings are reclaimed pieces of gravel that are recycled into aggregate that can be used on driveways, patios, walkways, basketball courts, tennis courts, and more.

Gravel is the most economical and least expensive driveway material, costing between $1 and $3 per square foot. This is significantly cheaper than alternatives like asphalt or concrete. However, it's important to consider long-term costs, as gravel driveways require regular maintenance. You will likely need to add new gravel filling once or twice a year and regularly rake it to keep it level, which can add to the overall cost over time.

Wet cutting is usually the preferred method. It controls dust, which helps protect your lungs and makes for a cleaner working environment. Plus, the water cools the blade, preventing overheating and prolonging its life while providing smoother, more precise cuts. The downside is the mess—water and asphalt sludge can be messy to clean. Dry cutting, though convenient if water isn’t available, creates a lot of dust, which can be harmful. This also increases the risk of blade damage due to overheating. So, if you have the option, wet cutting is the better method for most asphalt jobs.

While blacktop is a type of asphalt, the terms should not be used interchangeably, as not all asphalt qualifies as blacktop. The primary differences are in their composition, production process, and ideal applications. Blacktop contains more stone than other types of asphalt and is heated to a higher temperature during production—300°F or more—while hot-mix asphalt is heated to between 275°F and 300°F. The ratio of bitumen (a tar-like crude oil) is a key differentiator, though sources vary: some state blacktop has less bitumen, making it less durable, while others claim it has a higher ratio. Due to these differences, asphalt is generally more durable and better for high-traffic areas like highways and streets, while blacktop is more suitable for playgrounds and residential driveways. For a driveway project, it is best to consult a professional to determine the most appropriate material.

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