CUSTOMER CARE LINKS:
Asphalt Guarantee and Maintenance • Asphalt Instruction Sheet • Concrete Guarantee and Maintenance Guide
Concrete Instruction Sheet • Design Process and Criteria • Excavation and Basing Instruction Sheet • Service Areas • Ways to Save
Our Greatest Variable – Sub-grade Instability
Sub-grade stability affects the time frame between basing and pavement installation. Soil stability is crucial for a quality, long lasting installation, yet waiting for stability is the foremost cause of frustration in the installation procedure.
When removing existing asphalt, concrete, or grass, moisture is trapped underneath and is not able to dry. When the top pavement is removed, the sub-grade soil has a very high moisture content, causing instability, softness, or mushiness. The sub-grade must be allowed to dry out, reducing moisture content to attain stability. The length of time to stability is dependant on initial moisture content, type of soil, (clay or peat retains more moisture) and amount of rain in between.
After basing we will inform you of the expected time frame to pavement. If the sub-grade is stable, we can pave right away. If we classify it as soft, 1 – 2 weeks is required. Very soft requires 2 – 3 weeks and may require re-grading. Very, very soft will require over 3 weeks and definitely will require re-grading. An extreme case may wait 3 months.
We check stability by driving a dump truck over the base and noticing depression or springiness.
We cannot understate the necessity of sub-grade stability in providing a long lasting pavement. We ask your patience and understanding of why this time frame exists, especially when dirt is being tracked in all over your house, when it rains and rains. Patience at this time is worth years of service in the future. Our intent is to provide a long lasting product.
Usage
Please use your based surface as you normally would; we want you to drive on it. You can place a 2 x 4 at the garage and street to minimize the bump driving in and out.
Rain
After substantial rainfall, if water collects in any area, please sweep the majority out so it dries quickly.
Edges
We cut the edges 3” wider than the new pavement on each side. This provides room for form boards for concrete or a tamped beveled edge for asphalt.
Elevation
Please look at the height of the base compared to the height of your yard or landscape. Sometimes we cannot follow yard height, due to slope and drainage requirements. If you have concerns about the finished grade of pavement, please call before paving.
Changes in Shape or Size
Notice as you use your driveway after basing, is it wide enough or big enough? If you would like to make it bigger, please call prior to paving.
Bobcat in Yard
If your installation requires travel over the yard to get to the work area, you would have signed an authorization for bobcat in the yard or agreed to higher pricing for wheelbarrow labor. The bobcat path across the yard in 98% of cases will rut the yard and destroy the grass. Please anticipate the need for black dirt and seed or sod. This is your responsibility. Sprinkler line damage is also possible.
Reclaiming
Reclaiming is a new process of pulverizing your existing asphalt back into gravel and sand it is made out of, mixing with the existing base to provide new base for your driveway. Reclaiming is the way of the future, optimizing the earth’s existing resources. Our intent is to reclaim as many drives as possible, but site limitation will make reclaiming impractical in some cases. Our machine is designed for asphalt reclamation only. Concrete will still need to be excavated as before.
Your Satisfaction is Our Goal!!
Please call with any questions or concerns.