"A night of 50-60 mph wind had a toll on a section of the house. When I first talked with Scott he asked if I could take a picture of the problem and send it to him. 20 minutes after I sent the picture he called back with an estimate on the siding repair, He arrived the following day ON TIME. He reviewed the repair with me and began work. In no time the siding was repaired and looked as good as the day it was installed. Scott is a pro and I would strongly recommend him for any siding project. Friendly, good price and great work."
Rockhard Construction is committed to excellence in every aspect of our business. We uphold a standard of integrity bound by fairness, honesty, and personal responsibility. Our distinction is the quality of service we bring to our customers. Accurate knowledge of our trade combined with ability is what makes us true professionals. Above all, we are watchful of our customers' interests, and make their concerns the basis of our business.
"Though it is a young company we were very impressed with the companyâ  s professionalism and leadership. The owner Landon listened to our requests and made it happen. We would definitely use this company for future projects."
"It was one if the most stress free experiences I've had since being a property owner. I will use them for all my properties an refer them to all my friends. Thanks so much Maid Simple."
"I called around to about 4 different roofers and received some pretty good quotes. However, Miza with EMDF Roofing was the fastest to get back to me at every turn. They replaced my roof in the winter time so I knew the weather was a big factor. He found the only 2 dry days in a month and had the roof done. The crew came in and worked non-stop. He came in right on budget. From inspection to clean up I am very impressed with the whole job. Even though there are few reviews I am very glad I chose them and suggest others do the same."
Asphalt and tarmac are not the same thing. Traditional tarmac, short for tarmacadam, uses tar as a binder to hold crushed stone together. Asphalt uses bitumen—a byproduct of crude oil—to bind aggregate. Though tarmac was once a go-to for roads, asphalt has become the modern standard. And these days, most surfaces referred to as “tarmac” are actually asphalt. So, while the names may overlap, the key distinction lies in the binder—tar for tarmac and bitumen for asphalt.
New asphalt typically needs 24 to 72 hours to dry before it can handle light foot traffic and careful driving. Although it may appear solid after a few days, the full curing process, where the asphalt reaches its peak strength, takes much longer—generally from 30 days to a year.
During this extended curing time, the surface remains relatively soft and can be damaged by heavy vehicles, sharp objects, or high temperatures. To protect your investment, it's best to avoid parking heavy machinery on the asphalt until it has fully cured.
The exact time required for drying and curing depends on several factors, including the weather, the specific asphalt mix, and its thickness. For the most accurate advice tailored to your situation, consult with your asphalt contractor.
A solid driveway starts with the right asphalt mix, and for most homes, dense-graded hot mix asphalt (HMA) is the most recommended. It’s both durable and flexible, making it a reliable choice for residential use. A properly compacted 2-3 inch layer on a well-prepared crushed stone base will hold up for years. In areas with harsh winters or scorching summers, a slightly modified mix can help prevent cracking and rutting. No matter the climate, quality installation is just as important as the material itself, so hiring an experienced contractor ensures a smooth, long-lasting driveway built to last.
To ensure you hire a reliable and experienced paving company, you should start by finding companies in your area that have at least five to ten years of experience working in your neighborhood. Next, rule out companies with poor reviews online or a series of complaints filed with the Better Business Bureau. Since driveways affect your curb appeal, you should also ask each company for references and pictures of recent work to make sure the work the company does is professional and high quality. Finally, check that the company is licensed and insured.
Overall, a paver driveway is considered the easiest to maintain because homeowners are able to do driveway repair one piece at a time without impacting the rest of the driveway. Unlike paved options, paver driveways contain individual stones that aren't physically connected. By comparison, you may need to reseal or redo a full asphalt driveway if just one portion sustains a significant crack.
The Hennepin, IL homeowners’ guide to asphalt driveway services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Adding a new asphalt driveway to your home can boost its overall appearance and give homeowners a nice ROI down the line. But how long do asphalt driveways last, and what can you do to maximize their lifespans? Read this guide to find out.
