How long does it take to build a driveway?

• <div><p>While the specific timeline for building a driveway can vary based on driveway length and local weather conditions, the average concrete driveway can require several days to lay down all of the different <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/driveway-terms-know.htm">parts of the driveway</a>. The curing process may require you to avoid using your driveway for a week following construction. Heavier vehicles should be kept off of a new concrete driveway for several weeks. Building a gravel driveway may take just one to two days in total.</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: Can I retrofit my existing driveway?

• <div><p>Yes, you can retrofit an existing driveway, but this usually involves cutting grooves into the driveway, installing the heating elements, then sealing them. While this is much less expensive than typical heated driveway systems, the final appearance could be diminished. Speak with a driveway paving company to confirm which design method is best for you.</p></div>

Q: How often should new asphalt be sealed after installation?

• <div><p>Sealing coat asphalt after 6-12 months and then every 2-3 years is recommended.</p></div>

Q: Is asphalt the same as tarmac?

• <div><p>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&mdash;a byproduct of crude oil&mdash;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 &ldquo;tarmac&rdquo; are actually asphalt. So, while the names may overlap, the key distinction lies in the binder&mdash;tar for tarmac and bitumen for asphalt.</p></div>

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Verified Reviews for Asphalt Driveway Service pros in Franklin, VA

*The Angi rating for Asphalt Driveway Service companies in Franklin, VA 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 Franklin, VA 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 October 22, 2023

Reviewed in October 2023
Bay Crawl Space came out to do our yearly home inspection since we had our crawl space encapsulated last year. Matt & Payne were on time, very professional and took care of all of our needs. We used to have a very damp crawl space and now our floors are warmer in the winter and humidity is at...
BAY Crawl Space & Foundation Repair
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Reviewed in March 2023
Tony and his team were excellent I drove by one time and look and they were just starting I drove by a little while later they already had my roof completed ty
Home Genius Exteriors
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Reviewed in April 2022
I gave Steve a day and time I was available. He agreed, showed up early. He had all the parts needed for drain and water supply relocation. He worked quickly and efficiently.
Steve Dupre Plumbing
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Reviewed in September 2021
The floor jacks were installed without any problems. The JES crew was excellent. They were very professional completed the work as scheduled. The installation included four concrete footers, which had to be dug out beneath the crawl space encapsulation. Once completed, there was no indication...
JES Foundation Repair
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Reviewed in March 2019
Mike was the most responsive and friendly and service oriented contractor I have ever worked with!!!!! If you need your asphalt done, hands down don't hesitate, you should use him!!!
Homestate Improvement
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Reviewed in July 2016
The contractor ( Mr. Howard Small) came to my home immediately upon my request, he reviewed the driveway and gave an estimate. He started work the next day. First, he removed the driveway and found out that only sand was beneath the old driveway. He dug out as necessary and laid a foundation of...
CUSTOM PAVED DRIVEWAYS
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Reviewed in July 2014
I was very pleased with the asphalt sealing of our driveway by Bob Orr. He was upfront and advised me according to what he could do for us. I would recommend him.
B&H Asphalt, Paving & Seal Coating
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Reviewed in January 2014
Bobby was scheduled to meet me at the house first thing in the morning. After arriving late, with no call before hand to warn of his tardiness, Bobby did not introduce himself or apologize for being late - he instead complained about the location of my home. As I explained what we wanted paved,...
RC PAVING
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Find Asphalt driveway pros in Franklin

Edward Smith Paving LLC

5.0(

)

Serving Franklin, VA and surrounding areas

In business since 1988

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Turned out great and Edward was a great person to deal with. Thanks"

Recommended by100%of homeowners

Serving Franklin, VA and surrounding areas

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

Credit card accepted

"It was great. They were nice gentlemen, very professional, they cleaned up, they work good together, everything was cleaned up, and the job was quality work."

+17

Recommended by50%of homeowners

Serving Franklin, VA and surrounding areas

In business since 2003

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Very professional. I would use again & recommend to others."

Recommended by100%of homeowners

Serving Franklin, VA and surrounding areas

In business since 2010

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"The work was done in a timely fashion n with professionally care. Very easy going guy to deal with, would highly recommend him' will call him again for another seal coating job. ."

+13

Recommended by75%of homeowners

Serving Franklin, VA and surrounding areas

In business since 1995

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

All State Materials is family owned business serving all of Virginia including the eastern shore. We range in small projects to large commercial and industrial projects. We get most of our work from happy customers who use us as a referral. Most residential driveways can be completed within a day from start to finish. We use all state approved materials. We specialize in driveways, private roads, shopping plazas. And all types of seal coating. No job is too little or too big. Same day service can be provided on some projects.

Serving Franklin, VA and surrounding areas

In business since 2021

Emergency services offered

Credit card accepted

"They were promt,professional, and knowledgeable. They also finished in a timely manner and cleaned up behind themselves I would definitely use them again for future home repairs."

Recommended by100%of homeowners

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Able Asphalt

New to Angi

Serving Franklin, VA and surrounding areas

In business since 2021

Free estimates

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.\n

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Asphalt Driveways questions, answered by experts

Yes, you can retrofit an existing driveway, but this usually involves cutting grooves into the driveway, installing the heating elements, then sealing them. While this is much less expensive than typical heated driveway systems, the final appearance could be diminished. Speak with a driveway paving company to confirm which design method is best for you.

Sealing coat asphalt after 6-12 months and then every 2-3 years is recommended.

While the specific timeline for building a driveway can vary based on driveway length and local weather conditions, the average concrete driveway can require several days to lay down all of the different parts of the driveway. The curing process may require you to avoid using your driveway for a week following construction. Heavier vehicles should be kept off of a new concrete driveway for several weeks. Building a gravel driveway may take just one to two days in total.

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.

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.

The Franklin, VA homeowners’ guide to asphalt driveway services

From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.

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