Pacific Paving Frequently Asked

How long after my asphalt driveway is done, can I drive or walk on it?
Depending on weather condition and nature of the work, A typical asphalt application will take approximately 24-48 hours for new asphalt to properly set up. Thereafter, you may drive or walk on it. During the first 12 months, we highly recommend using care and caution as it takes about 8-12 months for the surface to properly cure. Please refer to our Basic Care & Maintenance page.

What is the longevity of asphalt?
10-20 years depending on sub grade and severity of use.

I had an asphalt paving done 5 years ago. It now looks faded. What causes this and how can I make it look new again?
To enhance the aesthetic appearance of your pavement, we recommend new seal coating to protect and seal the surface from further sun damage and normal wear & tear due to age. This will further help protect the surface from oxidation and weather condition and changes.

I was quoted an Excavation fee to have my driveway redone. What does that entail?
Excavation pertains to digging up the existing material in or around the paving area. This
is done for various reasons. For example, it may be necessary to excavate to widen the
paving area or to replace the existing material with a proper base material in order to
support the new pavement you requested.

What is Aggregate Base?
Aggregate Base is the crushed gravel that is typically added as a foundation for the asphalt
pavement.

Should I be concerned with Fine grade?
Yes! Fine grade involves shaping and sloping the gravel base to achieve good drainage and
allow proper placement of your new pavement. If your new driveway is always a puddle because
the Fine grade was not done correctly, it will not be of much use!

Can you please explain the Pave process?
Paving is complete when the hot bituminous mix ("hot top") is applied. In some instances,
two layers - the binder course and the surface course - are applied. If two courses are
applied, the same hot top mixture is used for both courses. The thickness of each layer, or
course, is a compacted thickness. Normally, about two inches of compacted hot top is plenty
for household driveway traffic.

Should I invest in Overlay, or just redo my driveway?
This really depends on the shape of your driveway. Overlay involves resurfacing older
pavement with a new layer of hot top mix, and is typically all that needs to be done unless
there was some major foundation issues with your driveway that need attention