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Pavement Installation in Syracuse, NY: Top Materials

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 15:23:52 GMT

Pavement Installation in Syracuse, NY: Top Materials

The right pavement adds value, safety, and curb appeal to your property. At Dependable Paving Co., we help Syracuse homeowners and businesses choose the best materials for lasting results. Call us today at (315) 463-5633 to get started.

Why Pavement Installation in Syracuse, NY, Matters

Pavement is more than a surface: it is the foundation of your property’s function and appearance. In Syracuse, where winters are harsh and summers humid, the right material makes all the difference.

Dependable Paving Co. has decades of experience with local projects. We know how weather, soil, and traffic affect performance, and we guide you toward the best choice for pavement installation in Syracuse, NY.

Top Pavement Materials for Syracuse Projects

Not every material performs the same in Syracuse’s climate. Here are the leading options:

Asphalt Paving

Asphalt is a popular choice for pavement installation in Syracuse, NY.

Flexibility: Expands and contracts with temperature changes.
Cost efficiency: Affordable compared to other materials.
Quick installation: Projects can be completed in days.

With sealing every few years, asphalt can last 15–20 years..

Concrete Paving

Concrete is durable and versatile.

Longevity : Can last 30 years or more.
Low upkeep: Requires less sealing than asphalt.
Customization : Can be stamped, colored, or textured.

Though more expensive upfront, concrete’s lifespan makes it a strong investment.

Permeable paving solutions

Permeable pavers are gaining popularity in Syracuse neighborhoods:

Drainage : Reduces runoff and ice buildup.
Eco-friendly: Supports sustainable landscaping.
Style : Available in many colors and patterns.

They are ideal for driveways, patios, and walkways, making them a smart choice for pavement installation in Syracuse, NY.

Durability and Maintenance in Syracuse Weather

Syracuse winters bring snow, ice, and freeze-thaw cycles. Each material responds differently:

Asphalt: Handles freeze-thaw cycles well but needs resealing.
Concrete : Strong under heavy loads but may crack without proper care.
Permeable pavers: Improve drainage and reduce ice buildup.

Dependable Paving Co. uses proven methods, like the two-phase paving method , to ensure long-lasting results. That’s why so many property owners trust us for pavement installation in Syracuse, NY.

Cost Considerations for Pavement Installation in Syracuse, NY

Budget plays a big role in material choice:

Asphalt: Lower upfront cost, moderate maintenance.
Concrete : Higher upfront cost, lower long-term upkeep.
Permeable pavers: Mid-to-high upfront cost, long-term drainage savings.

The right option depends on your property’s needs and your goals. Dependable Paving Co. helps you weigh these factors to make the smartest decision for pavement installation in Syracuse, NY.

Dependable Paving Co. Expertise in Syracuse

Choosing the right contractor is just as important as choosing the right material. Dependable Paving Co. offers:

Local knowledge: We understand Syracuse’s climate and soil.
Quality materials: We use only proven, durable products.
Professional installation: Our team follows industry best practices.
Customer focus: We match your budget and vision.

Our work can be seen across Syracuse neighborhoods, from driveways to commercial lots. We bring the same attention to detail to every pavement installation in Syracuse, NY.

How to Choose the Right Pavement Material

Here are a few questions to guide your decision:

Traffic: How much weight and use will the surface handle?
Budget: Do you prefer lower upfront costs or long-term savings?
Style: Do you want a simple surface or a decorative finish?
Maintenance: How much time and money will you invest in upkeep?

Our team can walk you through these factors and recommend the best option for pavement installation in Syracuse, NY.

Residential Pavement Installation in Syracuse, NY

Homeowners in Syracuse often face unique challenges. Driveways, walkways, and patios must withstand heavy snow removal, salt, and freeze-thaw cycles.

Asphalt driveways : Affordable and flexible, ideal for families who want quick installation.
Concrete patios : Durable and customizable, perfect for outdoor living spaces.
Permeable walkways: Reduce puddles and ice, making them safer for children and guests.

Dependable Paving Co. helps homeowners choose the right balance of cost, durability, and style when planning pavement installation in Syracuse, NY.

Commercial Pavement Installation in Syracuse, NY

Businesses in Syracuse rely on strong, reliable pavement for parking lots, loading areas, and sidewalks.

Asphalt lots: Cost-effective for large areas, with quick installation.
Concrete loading zones: Withstand heavy trucks and equipment.
Permeable sidewalks : Improve drainage and reduce liability from ice.

Dependable Paving Co. has completed projects for retail centers, office parks, and industrial facilities across the region.

Long-Term Value of Quality Pavement Installation

Investing in the right pavement material pays off over time.

Reduced repairs: Quality installation means fewer cracks and potholes.
Better safety : Smooth surfaces reduce trip hazards and vehicle damage.
Increased property value: Attractive pavement boosts curb appeal.

Dependable Paving Co. focuses on long-term results, not just quick fixes. Choosing us for pavement installation in Syracuse, NY, ensures your investment lasts.

Pavement Installation in Syracuse, NY, With Dependable Paving Co.

When you choose Dependable Paving Co., you get more than a contractor: you get a partner who cares about your property’s value and appearance.

We combine local expertise with professional service to deliver results that last. Whether you need asphalt, concrete, or permeable paving, our team is ready to help.

Call Today for Expert Pavement Installation in Syracuse, NY

Your property deserves the best. Dependable Paving Co. is here to deliver. Call us at (315) 463-5633 or visit our contact page to schedule your consultation.

Top Benefits of Asphalt Pavement Sealing in Salina, NY

Fri, 27 Jun 2025 05:25:02 GMT

Top Benefits of Asphalt Pavement Sealing in Salina, NY

As a homeowner, you know how important it is to maintain the value and appearance of your property. One critical aspect of property maintenance often overlooked is asphalt pavement sealing. By investing in professional sealcoating, you can significantly enhance the longevity and aesthetics of your driveway or walkway. Dependable Paving Co., Inc. offers expert asphalt pavement sealing in Salina, NY, ensuring your pavement remains in top condition year-round. With regular sealing, you not only protect your investment from harsh weather and wear but also boost your property's curb appeal and resale value.

Enhances Curb Appeal

One of the most immediate benefits of asphalt pavement sealing is the significant improvement in curb appeal. A freshly sealed driveway provides a sleek, black finish that instantly boosts the visual appeal of your property. This enhanced appearance not only makes your home more attractive but also adds to its overall market value. Given the competitive nature of the real estate market in Salina, NY, an appealing driveway can set your home apart from others.

Water Resistance

Water is the number one enemy of asphalt surfaces. Over time, moisture can seep into the tiny cracks and crevices of your pavement, leading to significant damage and the formation of potholes. Asphalt pavement sealing provides a protective barrier against water infiltration, ensuring that rain, snow, and ice do not erode the asphalt surface. This water resistance is particularly crucial in Salina, NY, where the seasonal weather variations can be harsh on outdoor surfaces. Sealcoating helps prevent the freeze-thaw cycle from wreaking havoc on your pavement, which is especially important during the cold New York winters. With a properly sealed surface, you can avoid premature cracking and extend the life of your asphalt.

Prevents Surface Wear

Everyday wear and tear from vehicles, foot traffic, and environmental factors can cause the asphalt surface to deteriorate quickly. Sealing your pavement forms a protective layer that shields it from harmful UV rays, chemicals, and oil spills. This preventative measure not only maintains the structural integrity of your pavement but also prevents surface wear, ensuring it remains smooth and safe for all uses. Residential asphalt sealcoating services also enhance the appearance of your driveway or walkway, giving it a fresh, dark finish that looks brand new. Regular maintenance like this can significantly boost your property's curb appeal and overall value.

Cost-Saving Advantage

One of the most compelling reasons to invest in asphalt pavement sealing is the cost-saving advantage. Regular sealcoating extends the lifespan of your pavement, preventing the need for costly repairs or complete replacement. Investing in sealcoating is a fraction of the cost you would incur from replacing damaged asphalt, making it a savvy financial decision for homeowners in Salina, NY. By protecting your pavement now, you save considerably in the long run. It’s a proactive approach that minimizes long-term expenses and maximizes the return on your initial paving investment. Plus, with Dependable Paving Co., Inc., you get top-tier service that ensures your money is well spent.

Why Choose Dependable Paving Co., Inc.?

When it comes to residential asphalt sealcoating services in Syracuse, NY, homeowners trust Dependable Paving Co., Inc. Our expert team is dedicated to delivering exceptional service and unparalleled quality. We use only the best materials and the latest techniques to ensure every sealcoating job we perform exceeds your expectations. As a trusted name in the community, we take pride in helping Salina, NY, homeowners protect their investment and enhance their property's beauty.

Our commitment to excellence is evident in every project we undertake. When you choose Dependable Paving Co., Inc., you're choosing reliability, professionalism, and a guarantee of satisfaction.

Eco-Friendly Sealing Options

In addition to traditional sealcoating methods, Dependable Paving Co., Inc. offers eco-friendly sealing options. Our environmentally conscious practices ensure that while we protect and beautify your asphalt pavement, we also care for the planet. This green approach aligns with the values of many homeowners in Salina, NY, who seek sustainable solutions without compromising quality. By choosing our eco-friendly services, you're making a responsible choice for your home and the environment. It's just one more way we go the extra mile to meet your needs with integrity and innovation.

Satisfied Homeowners

Don’t just take our word for it; see for yourself the incredible transformations we’ve achieved. Here are some photos from our galleries from homeowners in Salina, NY, who trusted Dependable Paving Co., Inc. with their asphalt pavement sealing needs. These photo galleries illustrate the quality and attention to detail that Dependable Paving Co., Inc. brings to every project. The difference that professional sealcoating makes in both appearance and durability is evident. We look forward to helping you maintain and improve your property with our top-quality pavement sealing solutions.

Contact Us Today!

If you're ready to enhance the look and longevity of your pavement, it's time to take action. Dependable Paving Co., Inc. is your go-to expert for asphalt pavement sealing in Salina, NY. Our team is equipped to handle all your sealcoating needs, ensuring your pavement remains durable and visually appealing for years to come. Don’t wait until it’s too late—call us today at (315) 463-5633 and protect your investment with reliable residential asphalt sealcoating services.

Why Sealcoating is Essential for Your Asphalt in Cicero, NY

Thu, 13 Mar 2025 15:05:58 GMT

Why Sealcoating is Essential for Your Asphalt in Cicero, NY

When it comes to maintaining your asphalt surfaces, sealcoating is one of the most cost-effective and essential steps you can take. Whether it’s your driveway, parking lot, or any other asphalt surface, sealcoating acts as a protective barrier against the harsh elements of Cicero, NY’s climate. From freezing winters to hot summers, your asphalt faces constant wear and tear. Sealcoating not only enhances its appearance but also extends its lifespan, saving you money in the long run.

The Benefits of Asphalt Sealcoating

Asphalt sealcoating offers a wide range of benefits that make it a smart investment for homeowners and business owners alike. First and foremost, it protects your asphalt from UV rays, which can cause oxidation and lead to cracks and fading. Additionally, sealcoating prevents water from seeping into the asphalt, which is especially important in Cicero, NY, where freeze-thaw cycles can cause significant damage.

Another advantage of asphalt sealcoating is its ability to resist oil and gas spills. These substances can break down the asphalt binder, leading to deterioration. By applying a sealcoat, you create a protective layer that repels these harmful chemicals, keeping your surface looking new and well-maintained.

When Should You Consider Sealcoating?

Timing is crucial when it comes to sealcoating. For new asphalt, it’s recommended to wait at least 6-12 months before applying a sealcoat to allow the surface to fully cure. After the initial application, resealing every 2-3 years is ideal to maintain optimal protection. If you notice signs of wear, such as small cracks or fading, it’s a good idea to schedule a sealcoating service sooner rather than later.

At Dependable Paving Co., we recommend inspecting your asphalt surfaces annually to determine if sealcoating is needed. Our team of experts can assess your pavement and provide personalized recommendations to keep it in top condition.

Trust Dependable Paving Co. for Your Sealcoating Needs

If you’re in Cicero, NY, and looking for reliable sealcoating services, Dependable Paving Co. is here to help. With years of experience and a commitment to quality, we provide professional asphalt sealcoating that protects and enhances your pavement.

Don’t wait until small issues become costly repairs. Contact Dependable Paving Co. today at (315) 463-5633 to schedule a free estimate. Let us help you keep your asphalt surfaces looking great for years to come!

Sealcoating

Tue, 29 Mar 2022 14:20:42 GMT

Sealcoating

Asphalt sealcoating is a process that is designed to keep asphalt surfaces water-tight and protected from the elements. Think of sealcoating as a protective “paint” that goes over the surface of a driveway or parking lot, giving it a jet black hue while also keeping the asphalt in tip top shape.

Asphalt is just a bunch of rocks that are glued together with a petroleum-based binder under a high heat. When installed and compacted, asphalt surfaces give the appearance of being smooth, impenetrable surface. However, micro-pores exist between each individual rock that makes up the asphalt mix, allowing moisture to find it’s way through the asphalt layers. In a sense, you could say that asphalt is porous.

Water, being one of the most destructive forces on planet earth, is not something that we want to consistently penetrate asphalt. With moisture in the asphalt layers and in the sub-base underneath, the asphalt is susceptible to damage, especially during the winter months when the ground freezes and thaws. Water expands and contracts as it heats up and cools down and the last thing we want to have happen is for the moisture sitting in the micro-pores of the asphalt to undergo this expansion and contraction.

The fix? We need to allow as little moisture as possible to penetrate the asphalt layers in the first place. This is where sealcoating comes into play. When asphalt gets sealcoated, the sealer fills up the micro-pores in the asphalt and allows water that hits the surface to “shed” versus get absorbed. Again, the goal is to have as much water shed off the surface of the driveway or parking lot as possible to reduce the amount of moisture in the asphalt layers.

Methods Of Application

There are a few different methods of applying sealer to an asphalt surface, but the two most common ways are 1.) brush/squeegee and 2.) spray wand. But before we take a closer look at the two, lets quickly cover the prep work that is involved in readying the asphalt surface to ensure that it is clean and able to accept the sealer.

Prep Work

First, the asphalt surface must be cleaned of all dirt and debris. Though asphalt may look relatively clean, there is always dirt that can be lodged in the micro-pores that we discussed above. Most of the time, there is leaves, grass clippings, loose rocks, mulch, and a plethora of other forms of debris that are sitting on the surface. Through using a combination of wire-bristle brooms and high-speed walk-behind blowers, we make the asphalt surface as clean as is possible. By scrubbing affected areas with good old elbow grease, the wire bristles on the broom loosen up dirt that has been caked in the micro-pores of the asphalt. The powerful walk-behind blowers then come in and blow all of the topical debris and loosened dirt off the surface of the asphalt. We now have a “clean canvas” to work on.
Next, any large cracking that is visible needs to be filled with crackfiller. There are two main types of crackfiller: cold-applied and hot-applied. Cold-applied crackfiller comes in jugs and is the temperature of the air around it. The jug has a conical tip that is held over the crack and when the jug gets squeezed the crackfiller gets dispensed into the crack. Hot-applied crackfiller is a new beast entirely. It starts as blocks of solid rubber (it’s more nuanced than that but we’ll stick with rubber for now) that get melted down in a propane-fired and/or oil-jacketed kettle at a temperature of 350°F-400°F. The now-liquid rubberized material gets dispensed from the kettle into a pour pot, which then transfers the material to the cracks on the asphalt surface. When you are driving down the road and you see the black squiggly lines dotting the surface, that is DOT-approved hot-applied crack filler. Because of its rubbery characteristics, the material can flex, expand, and contract with the moving of the ground during freeze/thaw cycles, ultimately keeping the crack from expanding more. Both cold-applied and hot-applied crackfillers are followed up with a V-squeegee to smooth/flatten the head of material, and also to work the material into the crack itself. The exception to the V-squeegee is if the material is dispensed via a wand on an oil-jacketed machine, which smooths the head of material as it is applied. This is more commonly used on roadways and commercial parking lots.
Additionally, oil spots need to be primed. It’s very common on asphalt surfaces to see spots where gasoline and oil has dripped from cars, motorcycles, lawnmowers, etc. As well as looking ugly, these spills have a tendency to to “eat away” at the asphalt surface, causing the aggregates in the asphalt mix to unravel and create pock marks. Not only this, but oil spots will reject an application of sealer since there is water in the sealcoating mixture (more on this below). As we all know, water and oil don’t get along.To solve this, we coat the oil spots with a primer. First, it stops the spills from eating away at the asphalt, which is very important for those affected areas. Second, it allows the surface of the asphalt that contains the oil spill to accept a coating of sealer.

Now that the prep work has been completed, it’s time to apply the sealer.

Brush/Squeegee

Also known as “hand applied,” this method of applying sealer to an asphalt surface is seen as the classic way of sealcoating. When a company is going to sealcoat your driveway or parking lot, they will perform their prep work while the mixture in their tank is agitating to keep the sand and additives suspended (more on that below).

Once the prep work is done they will start to apply the sealer via 5-gallon buckets. The material gets dispensed into the 5-gallon buckets via a spigot on the tank and the buckets are carried to the starting point of the job. For residential driveways, this starting pint is most commonly where the driveway meets the garage. The sealer then gets carefully poured out of the buckets and onto the surface of the asphalt, where the asphalt immediately starts to absorb the sealer. A skilled worker will then take a bristled brush or squeegee and start to work the sealer over the surface of the asphalt, making sure that it does not get on anything but the asphalt itself. The material will get worked from edge to edge of the asphalt surface with more sealer being dispensed from the 5-gallon buckets as needed until the entire surface is neatly covered.

The beauty about this method is multi-fold. First off, as the sealer is sitting on the asphalt surface after being dispensed from the buckets, the asphalt is absorbing all the sealer that it can take. As the brush or squeegee then comes by it whisks away the excess while simultaneously working the sealer into the pores of the asphalt. You get much better absorption rates with this method, with tests showing a 30% increase in the amount of material used as opposed to a spray application. Second, applying sealer by hand is much neater. The goal of applying sealer is to get it on the asphalt surface and nothing else. We don’t want it splashed on garage doors, siding, sidewalks, landscaping, or whatever other surfaces may be near your driveway. Once it dries on other surfaces it’s extremely difficult to get off and sometimes it never will. By applying sealer by hand, the skilled craftsmen has ultimate control over where the sealer goes and is not at the mercy of the wind or surface-rebound produced by the force of a spray wand.

Spray Wand

One might ask “why then, if hand application is superior in absorption rates and cleanliness, would anyone use a spray wand?” Because its quicker and easier of course! When sealer is applied by hand, the installers undergo much more laborious work. They need to lug the buckets to where the sealer is needed, manually pour the sealer onto the surface of the asphalt, and manually push the sealer across the entire surface for the entirety of the job.

With a spray wand, the material is pumped through a hose from the tank on the truck to where it is needed, extinguishing the need for buckets. The material is then ejected from a spray tip at the end of the hose, eliminating the need for it to be poured out onto the ground. The sealer that is ejected from the spray tip is in the form of a “mist” so that it coats the ground, similar to how spray paint would be ejected from a can. This form of ejection from the spray tip eliminates the need for the sealer to be pushed across the surface with a broom or squeegee.

Through this method, large areas of asphalt surfaces can be covered quickly with much less labor-intensive work, making it the leading choice for many installers. However, it does have its downfalls. Since the sealer isn’t getting poured out on to the surface of the asphalt and sitting there until the brush an comes along to whisk it away, the asphalt isn’t absorbing nearly as much sealer as it would via a hand applied method. Also, nothing is working the sealer into the pores of the asphalt like the bristles on a brush would, it’s just getting a topical coating instead. This is why spray applications use about 30% less sealer than hand applications and often need multiple coats to do the job of one hand applied coat. On top of this, its pretty common to see less sand added to the sealcoat mix than a hand applied mix would have, since too much sand will clog the spray tips at the end of the wand. Lastly, the mist of sealer being ejected from the wand is subject to being carried from wind gusts and onto surfaces that the sealer isn’t meant to be on (cars, buildings, curbing, sidewalks, landscaping, etc). On top this, the speed at which the sealer hits the surface of the asphalt from being forcefully ejected from the spray tip causes the sealer to “bounce” and create more of a potential mess.

At Dependable Paving, we believe solely in hand applying our sealer. Whether it’s a small driveway or large commercial parking lot, our sealer will always be applied the good old fashioned way: by hand.

What’s In The Mix?

Unlike humans, not all sealer is created equal. Not by a long shot. Most sealer starts the same when it’s in its bulk phase at the factory that’s producing it. This bulk sealer is more like a sludge than it is a sealer, and it gets shipped in tankers to bulk distributors around the state. Every sealcoating company needs to get their supply of bulk sealer so that they can make their own sealcoating mix and proceed to install the jobs that they’ve sold. Each mix should contain 3 more ingredients in addition to the bulk sealer: water, sand, and additives. The addition (or non-addition in some cases) of these three ingredients is where sealcoating mixes starts to wildly differentiate themselves.

Water

When a sealcoating company needs to fill their personal tanks up with sealer, they pull into a bulk distribution site and ask for x-amount of bulk sealer to be pumped into their tanks. However, bulk sealer is not ready to be laid down on an asphalt surface in its bulk state – it needs to be cut with water first. Most engineers that design bulk sealer say an optimal percentage of water in the overall sealcoating mix is 30%. In other words, for every 100 gallons of bulk sealer that gets pumped into a sealcoating tank, 30 gallons of water mixed into it for optimal utility.

Sand

Along with the addition of water into the bulk sealer, sand needs to be added into the mix to provide a couple characteristics that sand-less sealer won’t provide. First, nothing has as much traction as “naked” asphalt – that is asphalt which has never been sealed. Sealcoating, unfortunately, reduces some of the traction that asphalt has, which is a major reason why roadways aren’t sealed. To help retain some of the traction, however, sand is added to the mix at a rate of 2-4 pounds per gallon of bulk sealer that has been pumped into the tank. This not only helps tire traction, but also reduces the possibility of slip/falls during the winter months. Second, the sand in the mix helps to strengthen the sealer and fill in hairline cracking that may exist on the surface of the asphalt. Sand is a very important ingredient in the overall sealcoating mix and should not be overlooked.

Additives

Lastly, there are additives that can be added to a sealcoating mix that help to further strengthen the mix and cure from the bottom up. One popular additive in the industry and that we personally use here at Dependable Paving is Targel Plus. This is a rubberized polymer additive that suspends and locks in sand for better dispersion, toughens and rubberizes the sealer for added strength and flexibility, helps to improve gas, fuel, and oil resistance, and aids in reducing scuffing and power steering marks on the asphalt surface. A second additive that goes into our mix is Fass-Dri. This is an additive that has Nano-Cure technology, allowing the sealer to cure from the bottom up versus the top down. It also has sand-suspension properties and dries to a very black finish.

As a distributor of bulk sealer, we at Dependable Paving by default get to see how other companies make their sealcoating mixes, and the outcomes vary from company to company. We see some companies that do everything by the book: they cut the bulk sealer with the proper amount of water, they add sand to the recommended amount, and they blend in the strengthening and drying additives. These companies, unfortunately, are far and few between. Most commonly, we see companies water down their mix by 40, 50, and sometimes 60% of the bulk sealer that was pumped into their tank. Companies that do this are not going to incur the extra costs involved with mixing in sand or additives either. To that same point, there are other companies out there that don’t over-water their mix, but also don’t want to incur the costs of sand or additives either, hoping that their buck will stretch further. Some companies, if they are applying the sealer via spray wand, have to increase the water in their mix and reduce the sand ratio drastically so that the tips of their spray wands don’t clog up.

This is all mentioned to highlight the fact that it is up to each individual sealcoating company to make their own “house mix” in a way that will fit their business model. It’s also mentioned because the average property owner who isn’t learned in the sealcoating industry may just assume that sealer is sealer and at the end of the day it’s all the same, right? They may be gathering multiple quotes from different companies and not understand why there can be such drastic price differences from one bid to another.

Two-Phase Paving Process

Tue, 29 Mar 2022 13:26:05 GMT

Remove and Replace

A remove and replace (R&R) is a complete rebuild of the existing driveway or asphalt area. To understand what constitutes an R&R, we must first learn the different layers (materials) that make up an asphalt surface in the first place:

Sub-grade: the sub-grade, for lack of a better term, is earth. It is the native soil that is found under the ground in the location of the asphalt project (think clay, sand, loam, silt).
Sub-base: the sub-base is the layer of compacted material that is installed on top of the sub-grade. It creates the foundation for the eventual installation of asphalt (think runner-crush stone).
Asphalt Concrete Layers: also known as blacktop, pavement, macadam, and asphalt, the asphalt concrete is the drivable surface of a driveway, parking lot, and roadway. It’s the black surface that comes to mind when you think of a driveway and it is installed in two layers: a binder course and top course.

When undergoing an R&R the driveway is completely ripped out to the sub-grade, meaning that the blacktop layers and the sub-base (existing runner-crush stone base) are being removed until just the sub-grade is exposed. The sub-grade is then covered with geo-textile fabric and the sub-base is rebuilt with new runner-crush stone. When the new runner-crush stone has been compacted, the asphalt layers will be re-paved, starting with the binder course and finishing with the top course.

What Is Geo-Textile Fabric And Why Is It Important?

Geo-textile fabric is a material composed of woven-nylon strands that is a little thicker than paper. It acts as a membrane between the sub-grade & the runner-crush sub-base and prevents the two materials from mixing. It is a critical tool in keeping asphalt surfaces from rutting (i.e. showing tire tracks/depressions).

Think About It

What would happen if you were to put stones on top of dirt and then drive over the stones with your car? Well the stones would get pushed into the dirt, of course! If you continued this pattern over time and kept driving over the stones, the stones would get pushed deeper and deeper into the dirt until ruts formed. Now, if asphalt layers were present on top of the stones, the asphalt would gradually form into ruts as well. This is a big no-no.

This can all be prevented with the installation of geo-textile fabric. Let’s take the same scenario of driving over the stones with your car - but this time there is going to be a layer of geo-textile fabric separating the stones from the dirt. No matter how many times you drive over the stones they will not be physically able to get pushed into the dirt, as the fabric layer is preventing this from happening. Therefore, driveways that have geo-textile fabric installed underneath the runner-crush stone sub-base will not form ruts and will have much greater longevity than driveways installed without it.

Different Layers Of Asphalt Concrete

We’ve mentioned that there are two different layers of asphalt concrete that make up driveways and parking lots: the binder course and the top course. Before we discuss the differences in the two different layers, let’s briefly explain what asphalt concrete even is.

In layman’s terms, asphalt concrete is a bunch of rocks and sand that are “glued” together with a combination of petroleum and intense heat.
The “rocks,” in this case, are the most readily available minerals found in quarries for a given geographical location and are referred to as “aggregates.” In New York, for instance, the mineral most commonly used is limestone and it can range in size from chunks the size of your fist down to pieces as fine as sand.
Asphalt manufacturers take these different sized aggregates, along with a liquid asphalt binding agent, and use them to produce asphalt concrete.
Now that we have a rough idea of what asphalt is, let’s touch on the differences between the binder course and the top course:

Binder Course: this is the first layer of asphalt that goes into an asphalt installation and it is installed directly on top of the prepared runner-crush stone base. It is the “weight-bearing” course of asphalt and therefore utilizes bigger aggregate pieces in the size range of quarters, nickels, and dimes. Not only does the binder course contain bigger aggregate sizes, but it is also thicker (in terms of the depth at which it is installed) compared to the top course.
Top Course: this is the final layer of asphalt that goes into an asphalt installation and it is installed on top of the binder course. Often referred to as the “wearing course,” “surface course,” or just “topping,” the top course utilizes aggregates that are just a fraction of the size of what is used in the binder course. Because topping has many more fines (smaller aggregate) in the mix design, its surface appearance is much tighter & smoother, more appealing to the eye, and is better at shedding water than the more porous binder course.

A quick note on virgin asphalt vs. recycled asphalt:

As mentioned above, asphalt is a bunch of rocks and sand glued together with a combination of petroleum and intense heat. This is known as “virgin asphalt,” and it is the best kind of asphalt to install on a job.

Recycled asphalt, on the other hand, is an inferior asphalt mixture but is commonly found in the paving industry due to its low cost. In short, recycled asphalt is virgin asphalt that has been infused with roadway millings. When you are driving around in spring, summer, and fall and you see the signs that say “grooved pavement ahead,” the process that is taking place is called milling (also known as cold-planing).

What’s happening here is that the old, beat up surface of the roadway is being ground down a couple of inches so that a new asphalt surface can be installed without raising the elevation of the roadway itself. The ground bits and pieces (millings) of the old roadway are then commonly trucked back to the asphalt plant and dumped into a huge stockpile. Asphalt plants that produce hot-mix asphalt for the State of New York are required by the state to infuse these millings back into virgin asphalt mix, thus recycling the old roadway surface. The stated goal by the State of New York is to get 50% of the asphalt mix to contain millings, with the current percentage close to 40% at the time of writing.

In theory, this sounds good. After all, who doesn’t like to recycle, right? The trade-off here, however, is that recycled asphalt lacks the integrity and longevity that its counterpart – virgin asphalt – has. Our objective at Dependable Paving is to build you an asphalt surface that will last as long as possible, and part of that process includes buying the best materials that we can. The best material in the asphalt industry is virgin asphalt, and although it comes at a premium, it’s the only asphalt we believe in using.

Putting It All Together

Now that we understand the different layers that make up driveways and parking lots, what does the process look like to turn an old, damaged, beat up driveway into a new, beautiful, pristine driveway that will last decades? Let’s take a look at each individual step below:

1.) Excavation (Phase I)

First things first: the old driveway needs to be completely removed down to the sub-grade. If your driveway is need of an R&R, it means that there is sub-base failure that needs to be corrected. The only way to correct sub-base failure is to rip out the old, failed sub-base and construct a new one from scratch.

A big mistake that is often made by paving contractors is to install new asphalt over asphalt that has failed due to sub-base failure. This is often done as a cost-saving measure since sub-base reconstruction is a more cost-intensive procedure. The truth, however, is that the new asphalt that is installed over the already-failed asphalt will (you guessed it!) fail as well! Think about it - when a patient in a hospital needs surgery, the surgeon is not going to just put a bandaid on the afflicted area and call it fixed. Rather, the surgeon is going to go in and fix the problem at its root so that it is no longer a problem. The same principle applies to driveways with sub-base failure.

Driveway excavation, by Dependable Paving’s standards, means ripping out the driveway 12 inches below final grade. Final grade is the elevation that the driveway is going to be at when all the layers of the driveway are installed. Think of final grade as the elevation of structures that you expect the driveway to be flush with when the driveway is completely installed (garage floors, walkways, roadways, curbs, etc). Once the final grade has been determined, the old driveway will be excavated 1-foot below that elevation.

A couple notes on Dependable Paving’s depth of excavation:

The chances that the sub-base of your existing driveway goes down 12 inches is slim to none, but we are not recreating your existing driveway specs.
We need room to rebuild your driveway with the proper depth of materials so that it gets our “heavy-built” stamp of approval.
The specs listed below for depth of stone and asphalt layers are pre-compaction numbers. When compaction is accounted for, all the layers fit nicely into our 12 inch excavated pit.

2.) Installation Of Geo-Textile Fabric (Phase I)

Now that the old driveway has been removed, it’s time to start reconstructing a proper runner-crush stone sub-base. And yes, there are improper sub-bases and your old driveway probably had one, hence the need for an R&R.

After excavation, the sub-grade is completely exposed and is not yet suitable for the installation of any stone. Though it was mentioned above, it’s important to drill this point home again: it is not proper practice to put stones on top of dirt without a membrane separating the two materials! The membrane that we use is a woven nylon geo-textile fabric due to its ability to let water drain through into the sub-grade while not allowing the runner-crush stone to get pushed into the sub-grade under the weight of your vehicles.

You will sometimes hear that geo-textile fabric is installed to prevent weed growth. This is not the case. Engineers designed it to prevent tire ruts on heavily trafficked roadways and it is used in all roadway construction as per DOT specifications. Think about it - when is the last time you saw tire ruts on a highway? Probably never (potholes on the other hand? We’ll save that rant for another time).

The main point to take away here is that the installation of geo-textile fabric is a critical, but also commonly overlooked, first step in sub-base construction for driveways. Don’t sell your driveway short and make sure that whichever contractor you hire is installing geo-textile fabric over the sub-grade. It’s an inexpensive step that truly increases a driveway’s longevity.

3.) Installation Of Runner-Crush Sub-Base (Phase I)

Now that the old driveway’s been removed and the sub-grade is now covered with geo-textile fabric, the next step is to rebuild the sub-base with 10 inches of runner-crush stone.

Runner-crush stone is limestone (or whichever mineral is most commonly found in quarries nearest you) that has been mined from the earth and broken up into different sizes by a machine called a “crusher.” After being crushed, the bits and pieces of limestone are jagged, angular, and dusty (stone dust), which are imperative characteristics for the stones to be able to “lock together” and create a structurally sound sub-base. Just like with asphalt, there are various sizes (grades) of runner-crush stone to suit different needs on the job site. We will be focusing in on two grades: 4” Minus stone and 1” Minus stone.

4” minus: (also referred to as minus-4 stone) after being crushed, the bits and pieces of limestone get segregated through a series of screens. The screens that create minus-4 stone have slots that are 4-inches big, meaning that pieces of the crushed rock that are 4-inches and smaller will be able to fall through the screen. Hence the designation “minus-4.” Due to this screen size, big and chunky pieces of rock (think the size of your fist) fall through and will eventually end up underneath your driveway.
1” minus: (also referred to as regular runner-crush) just like with minus-4 stone, 1” minus stone is crushed through the same process yet it is filtered through a smaller screen. The slots in this screen allow for stones that are 1-inch and smaller to fall through.

Dependable Paving’s sub-bases consist of 10 inches of stone, installed in two separate lifts. A “lift” is when a layer of material is installed at a certain thickness and then compacted into place by vibratory compaction equipment.

The first lift consists of 8 inches of minus-4 runner-crush followed by a final 2-inch lift of regular runner-crush. Dependable Paving uses minus-4 stone as the base lift in our sub-bases due to the sheer size of the stones involved. Remember, “the bigger the stone, the harder it is to bully out of the way.” Minus-4 stone can support tremendous weight and allow ground water to run through it without it shifting - two very important attributes.

However, since the size of the aggregate in minus-4 stone is so large, its downfall is that it is very hard to get a smooth final grade with it. This is where regular runner-crush comes into play. Because the stones in regular runner-crush are smaller and have a slightly higher percentage of stone dust, it is much easier to achieve a smooth final grade with it. Final grading in sub-base construction is one of the most important steps because it’s the last chance to get the grade right (in terms of water flow) for the next step in the process: installing the binder layer of asphalt.

4.) Installation Of Binder (Phase I)

Finally, the table has been set and dinner is ready to be served! Dinner, however, consists of 300°F rocks covered in a petroleum sauce. Delicious! In reality, though, every prior step up to this point has been “setting the table” for the installation of the asphalt. The old driveway has been removed, the sub-grade has been covered with geo-textile fabric, and both lifts of runner-crush stone (the sub-base) have been properly graded and compacted in place. We are ready for the main course: binder.

As mentioned above, the binder layer of asphalt is the first layer of asphalt that goes into a driveway or parking lot installation. Similar to how the minus-4 lift of runner-crush is the weight-bearing lift of stone due to the larger aggregate size, the binder layer of asphalt is going to be the weight-bearing lift of asphalt due to the larger aggregate size in the mix. We install a 3-inch lift of binder through a self-propelled paving machine and then compact it with a double-drum vibratory roller to achieve a smooth and uniform surface.

Once the binder layer has been installed and compacted, Phase I of the new driveway is now complete. The homeowner will need to wait about 24 hours for the asphalt to cure and cool down before being able to walk on it and roughly 3-5 days before being able to drive on it with their vehicles. Though the homeowner now has what is considered a brand new driveway, it’s not fully completed yet. As mentioned above, there are two layers of asphalt that go into a driveway or parking lot: the binder course and the top course. Phase I of a new driveway covers everything from ripping out the old driveway up to installing the binder layer of asphalt on the new driveway. Phase II, which we will discuss next, involves installing the top course over the binder the following season.

5.) Installation Of Top Course (Phase II)

The first thing you might ask about the top coat is “why does it get installed the year after the binder layer is installed? After all, roadways don’t need to wait a year until they receive their top coat and my neighbors down the street had theirs installed the same year as the binder! What gives?”

This is a very common and reasonable question that many property owners ask and the answer comes down to freeze/thaw cycles. In the NY climate, we get large amounts of precipitation: on average we receive 41 inches of rain and 104 inches of snow per year. All of this water has to go somewhere, and a lot of it ends up in the ground. With a heavily saturated sub-grade, the ground is subject to massive heaving and hawing (expanding and contracting) as the ground freezes and thaws during the winter and spring months.

The idea behind waiting a season to install the top coat is that we want to give the new sub-base and binder layer a chance to “settle in to place.” We want it to be able to move up and down with the earth as the ground freezes and thaws without the final layer of asphalt installed. Think about it: if the final layer of asphalt was installed and then the driveway settles over its first winter, there is nothing that can really be done about that settled area to bring it back up to surface grade. You could, of course, have it patched, but now you have a brand new driveway with a patch in it. The ideal solution is to give it a chance to settle over the first winter and then “shim” any settled areas (IF they arise!) before the top coat is installed. “Shimming” is simply adding hot mix asphalt to a low area to raise it up before installing a new layer of asphalt over the top of it. Now we have a driveway that has gotten most (if any) of its settling out of the way and we can confidently install the top coat without worry of it settling over the winter.

Another beautiful aspect of this method is that it allows the homeowner to pay for the driveway over the course of two years. Phase I costs are incurred in the first year while Phase II costs are incurred in the second year. Dependable Paving will never ask for Phase II payment in the first year of the driveway’s construction and will only accept payment upon completion of each phase of the work with nothing in advance.

The Bottom Line

While asphalt driveways and parking lots may all seem the same from an outside perspective, they are not all created equally and they will not age the same. There are plenty of different variables to take into consideration including, but not limited to, the depth of the build, the types of materials used, the thicknesses of materials, etc.

If you have read through this guide then you are most likely in possession of a driveway that is in rough shape and needs to be completely removed and replaced from the sub-base up. You now have a better understanding of what it takes to build a proper asphalt installation that will last you decades. It’s a little bit more nuanced than just slapping in some stone and making the surface black, but it’s also not rocket science. Like anything else in construction, it’s important to build on a strong foundation. Dependable Paving believes that a strong driveway foundation consists of 10 inches of stone installed on top of geo-textile fabric, covered in the best asphalt that money can buy -virgin asphalt- to ensure ultimate longevity of your pavement surface. As the old saying goes: the bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.

Resurface

Tue, 29 Mar 2022 13:26:05 GMT

What Is A Resurface?

A resurface is installing a new layer of hot-mix asphalt over an existing layer of established

pavement. We are giving the driving area a new surface without doing any excavation or sub-base work. A resurface is very similar to installing the top coat on an R&R, which you can find more literature on here.

Can Any Pavement Be Resurfaced?

Technically, yes. You could throw asphalt over grass if you wanted to, but it doesn’t mean it’s going to last! Resurfaces are an asphalt procedure which have to meet a certain set of criteria to be effective and have a shot at longevity.

First things first, the existing asphalt cannot have any sub-base failure. Sub-base failure shows itself in many forms, but most commonly in the form of tire rutting, alligator cracking, and severe settling. Unless you, as the property owner, are looking to waste money and resources, you would never want to resurface over asphalt that is failing due to problems with the sub-base underneath it. Remember, asphalt is only as good as the foundation that’s underneath it. If you have failure below, you’re going to get failure on top – it’s just a matter of time.

Secondly, there shouldn’t be any extensive cracking on your driveway. Are we talking about surface cracking here? No. Surface cracking is going to happen on all asphalt at some point and it is fine to resurface over it. We’re talking about cracking that runs down to the sub-base, or in other words, cracking that goes through the depth of the asphalt layers.

Asphalt “reflects” what is underneath it. For instance, if there is a dip in an existing asphalt surface and a new layer of fresh asphalt is installed over the dip, the dip will reflect to the new surface. In the case of deep cracking that goes to the sub-base, there are essentially two different planes of asphalt created. As these two different planes of asphalt are driven over, or as they go through freeze/thaw cycles, they will move and shift as two separate pieces. If there is a new layer of asphalt installed over this type of cracking, the shifting of the two separate pieces of asphalt will cause the layer on top to reflect that crack.

In sum, we just want to make sure that whatever we’re going to resurface over has a shot at lasting. Resurfaces are not meant as an end-all-be-all procedure for your driveway, but when applied over the right conditions they can provide a homeowner with many more years of use without having to rip up the entire driveway. At the end of the day it all comes down to how well the sub-base was constructed, as that is the determining factor for the overall longevity of the driveway. Even the best resurface over a bad sub-base will not last as long as a mediocre resurface over a good sub-base.

Best Application For A Resurface

Resurfaces are best applied to driveways that have good surface conditions but have sank at fixed-elevations. Fixed-elevations are elevations that homeowners expect the driveway to be flush with. Most commonly garage floors, sidewalks, roadways, curbing, and concrete culverts are elevations that driveway surfaces should be flush with.

Every driveway, at some point, was flush with the fixed-elevations around it. But often times, and almost inevitably, the driveway slowly sinks down and creates a reveal at these fixed-elevations. It’s very common to see 1-2 inch lips where driveway’s meet garage floors, sidewalks, and curbing – and sometimes the reveal can be more than that! However, the rest of the driveway can be in great shape and it doesn’t need to be removed and replaced. This is an ideal application for a resurface. By adding another layer of asphalt over the existing surface (usually 2-inches thick), the driveway can once again be flush with he fixed elevations that it touches.