"Leveling was done well and at a reasonable price. It took a bit more mud (6 tons instead of the 4 that was estimated), but that's life. I was surprised that the estimate did not include sealing of floor cracks, but we took care of that on another work order. That sealing was thorough and fairly priced, but not exactly cosmetic. We may need to add a top coating for that."
"The crew arrived on time and finished the job in one day. The work site was left clean and I was able to begin construction on my new shed the following week. "
"The guys did a great job on my driveway. They asked how it looked as they went, listened to special requests, and did a professional job. I am very happy with the result. They were timely and efficient. The price was right followed by quality work."
"Gino's crew did a great job with the new siding and other features. His employees work well together and were very helpful with suggestions. The siding looks great and I am quite happy with the job performed. "
"Marty, Andy, Marty and Mike have all been great. They have been working in and around my house for the last month. They are all very personable, friendly and respectful of us, our home, our pets...............Everything. They are on time, do great work and they do not waste any time. The work they have done is above and beyond what we ever expected. I will personally recommend Howard's Home Improvement to anyone."
Your driveway contractor will probably recommend that you avoid driving on your new millings driveway for up to a week. Keeping pressure off the freshy applied millings will help the driveway to bind together. While the sun is helpful for binding millings, hotter weather can actually make the curing process take longer.
Chip seal layers gravel and a liquid bitumen one at a time on-site, while asphalt directly pours a pre-combined mixture. Asphalt must be sealed, but it will last up to four times as long as chip seal driveways. Aesthetically, chip seal has a natural, rustic look compared to the traditional asphalt slab.
To maintain their strength, asphalt driveways and parking lots need to be sealcoated once every two to five years. You may also need to reapply paint striping every few years as it fades to ensure drivers can safely navigate the parking lot.
Even with regular maintenance, most driveways don’t last much longer than 30 years. Alligator cracking is a clear warning sign that your driveway’s foundation is failing, and cracks that are deep and wide can let water in, causing more damage. Standing water is another red flag. If your driveway doesn’t drain properly, it’s going to degrade slowly. Finally, if you’re seeing dips or uneven patches, that’s a sign the base layer or soil is shifting. If these issues pop up, it’s time to replace your driveway.
Instead of a set number of types, asphalt comes in variations designed for different needs. Some are categorized by temperature—hot mix, warm mix, and cold mix. Others are sorted by composition, like dense-graded, gap-graded (such as Stone Matrix Asphalt), porous, and mastic asphalt. There are also modified versions with added compounds like polymers, rubber, or emulsions. Instead of focusing on a number, it may be more useful to understand how contractors customize asphalt for durability, climate, and traffic conditions.
The Tidioute, PA 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.