Questions about paved driveways

[Soundguy]

Sounds like they either didn't lay thick enough asphalt, or theydidn't stabilize the base well. There are numerous other reasons.. but those are the main ones.

Soundguy

<font color=blue>"The year before I moved in, a black top company came through the neigborhood and cut bargin deals to do driveways. They finished and promptly went out of business. Now everyone who had a asphalt driveway done has problems with cracking. They all look like cr@p"

 

[Soundguy]

I'm surprised that they are needing repair that often. Our slag roads are averaging 9-15 years ( 9 years before pothole repair, 15 years before re-construction ).

Perhaps they are not sweeping the area off before application of tar. Generally county/city/state road crews are less knowledgeable about road construction. ( Not a slam to all you good public works people out there, ) But for instance, when patching asphalt, you can't drive up to a hole, shovel some asphalt in, tamp it and leave. It will lift. You also can't drive up to a low area of asphalt, shovel some more down, tamp it and leave.. it will scab. In both applications, the area needs to be thoroughly swept, and then a binder material needs to be applied ( bituminous prime, or tack coat ), then the asphalt, and temp, etc.

Our city will patch potholes every 2 months, the same ones. Our company fixed the pothole in our asphalt apron as a test comparison, and it has yet to lift, in a couple of years... oh well, just tax money I guess... not like it is -their- money they are throwing away.

Soundguy

<font color=blue>"Our private roads are tar & chip. Not as nice as asphalt, but it works. However, we are constantly (every 6 months) having to patch, seal, fill and smooth spots on the surface. In addition, we have it resurfaced every three years. "

 

[cup149]

The paving contractors seem to want about $1.70 per sq/ft for 2 to 3 inch asphalt. The scammers that come every summer ("my guys are just down the road and we have enough to do part of your driveway now, but will come back another time and finish") want about $1.25 sq/ft. I was expecting tar and chip to be right around a buck sq/ft so about $.70 seemed ok. The outfit is listed on the BBB site as being a member, for what that is worth.
Mike



<font color=blue>That estimate sounds a bit high.. but then, I know that prices for material and labor are very regional.

"Has any one had their drive tar and chipped? </font color=blue>

 

[tdenny]

MrP,

I hear you with the $$$ thing. Like I said we weren't planning on it , like you we were saving funds for other projects. I have a 2000 sq. ft. basement that needs to be finished. Since I can't fit the tractor in there I'm avoiding it at the moment./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

When you do get it done you will be thrilled.

 

[MrP]

Chris,

Let me know if your ever in the DC area. You could stop by and give me a lesson in how to maintain our roads. We do it collectively as a neighborhood (the state will not administer private rural roads).

Of course in exchange for the lesson, we would treat you to a steak dinner.

 

[MrP]

<font color=blue>"When you do get it done you will be thrilled. "</font color=blue>

I'm sure I will be, but when you buy a 3800+sq ft "fixer-upper" house, the budget only goes so far. This year is paint and carpet. Next year will be hardwood flooring and walkway paving. Last year was barn and fencing. Year before was tile and cabinets. Before that was just making it liveable. We've come a long way, but have a long way to go.

The flag pole looks pretty good though.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Do mostly lurkin' and learnin' here - but I've been trying to get a handle on cost-effective "paved" driveway choices myself (1000' by 12' coming up!). How about "macadam"? Until I found the site below - I thought that term was synomous with "asphault". Two very different things (and prices). Color can be varied in desired - even after the fact when re-topping. Take a look at:

http://www.larrytorti.com/projo-1993.htm

No connection with this gent, just found the info in a web search.

Tim

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

<font color=blue>"Do mostly lurkin' and learnin' here"</font color=blue>

Well, go ahead and register. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif I'd bet most everyone here is still learning in one way or another.

 

[alaskanjdeere]

Has anyone out there heard of or used recycled asphalt(RAP)
I priced some today here in Alaska and was quoted $9.75 per Ton @1.5 to 2.0 sqyd they did say closer to 1.5 this might be an option over pavement

 

[Mosey]

I started getting some estimates, 2 so far. They range from $2500 to $3750 for about 2500 square feet ($1 to $1.50 per square foot). The contractors both told me they would need to do all the prep work themselves, so I couldn’t save any money by doing anything myself. All they’re going to do is remove the loose gravel and level it off. They said they would have all of their equipment there anyway and would rather just to it all themselves. They said they can do other colors besides black, but it would triple the cost!

One guy has 2 different methods, one method is a 2 inch #8 binder with a 1 inch #11 surface, and the other method is a 2 1/2 inch #9 surface, which is not quite as smooth. He claims they’re both the same strength and durability, the only difference is the smoothness of the surface.

They both said that it will lighten up on it’s own after it cures and not to seal it as often as most people do and then it won’t be such a dark black. They said the purpose of sealing is to fill the cracks and keep the sand at the surface from drying out and coming loose. They said that sealing it too often will make it stay too soft. They recommended only sealing the cracks every 2 years and sealing the whole thing every 4 to 5 years. One guy said I could lighten it up by applying a coat of sand mix (whatever that is) right after they get done paving it.

I’m still going to get a few more estimates before I do anything. One thing I still want to find out is how well it will hold up to heavy trucks driving on it. For example, will a propane or septic pumping truck put indentations in it? What about a cement truck?