We just had our driveway resurfaced with asphalt(overlay). If the contract says 2" of asphalt...is that before or after the surface is compacted by a roller? Also, 2 pics attached. One shows an obvious big gap that has to be repaired. The other shows small fractures or cracks. I can't believe this is normal. Any opinions?? Thanks! Note the fog seal has not been applied yet. Bill H Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Should be 2" in place (after compaction), but read your written contract. Is the cracking just on the edge? If so, that's probably the contractor's fault. If it's all over, it could be the mix. How did they prep the surface? Did they grind? Did they lay down a membrane? Did they just "overlay" without any preparation? Paving is a little like painting, in that you need a rough surface for the asphalt to hold on to. Otherwise, it can migrate. If you had any ruptures in the surface below, those needed to be patched before overlayed. Potholes are usually the result of poor grade preparation.
That's AFU, bring the contractor back and make him fix it. Traditionally, you would have 2" finished & compacted. Also I recommend a slurry seal to keep it looking good for years.
I have had nothing but problems with my driveway in the new house. We have grass growing up through we they say is 2" about 5" from the edge. I want to rip out the whole thing and go with stamped cement since I can't get the contractor to do anything with it. He says that is the way it is.
Up until three years ago, my driveway was dirt. When I put the job out for bid, only one out of four contractors went the extra mile to present different binding agents that are used in asphalt. The contractor explained that an added AC type agent would remain hard during our hot summer months (June & August over 100oF in which the daily UPS trucks would leave tire marks in average asphalt as it warms up). I went with the contractor that did the material explaining. He was about $7K Vs $5+K from the other three. They put four inches on the entire driveway. During the first hot summer, the UPS truck left no marks. I found that getting the job done right was up to me to do homework and not just go with the best bid from a contractor that can put asphalt on the ground and roll it. To date, no cracks, etc. The contractor even came out six months after the job was completed and sealed it at no extra charge. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Before he did the job, I took him to the back yard and showed him where I would plant him if he screwed it up! Image Unavailable, Please Login
