Preparing For Your Driveway Paving Project

Helpful tips to keep your paving experience stress-free

Image of a large lakefront home with a fresh new paved driveway

Preparing for a driveway paving project is an exciting step towards enhancing your home's curb appeal and functionality. To ensure the process goes smoothly and your new driveway lasts for years to come, it’s important to be well-prepared before the paving crew arrives. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know, from clearing your driveway on prep day to taking care of your new asphalt after it's been installed. By following these tips, you'll be ready for a hassle-free paving experience and a beautiful, durable driveway.

Prep Day

  1. Keep all cars off of the driveway and remove any debris that is on the driveway.
  2. If you are extending please let us know about any sprinklers or underground electrical services.
  3. We use Dig Safe to mark out major utility lines. Please let us know of anything else on your property we need to be aware of when digging. Examples: dog wires, invisible fence, etc.
  4. Flag out any irrigation heads or areas of concern along the perimeter of the driveway.
  5. Make sure the water is on for the exterior faucets for the day of the prep and paving.
  6. If you would like to make any changes to the original proposal please tell your salesman before the prep crew arrives.
  7. Paving will be done within a couple of days after the prep work is completed unless otherwise stated.
  8. Please have garage doors open.

Paving Day

  1. For the paving day please have all cars and debris off the driveway.
  2. Please allow 5-7 days of curing before driving cars on the driveway. When temperatures are 80 degrees or higher please allow for 2 weeks.
  3. If you plan on getting oil, mulch, appliances or any large deliveries, wait 3 months after paving before having those trucks on the driveway.
  4. Please have the garage doors open to allow compactors and rollers to get a proper compaction where the driveway meets the concrete foundation.
  5. Make sure the water is on for the exterior faucets.
  6. If paying by check and you are home you can give it to the paving crew if possible.
  7. Please water your driveway 1-2 times daily for the first 2 weeks after completion.
  8. Your new asphalt driveway will soften and harden as temperatures rise and fall.
  9. It will take 12 months for your new driveway to fully harden and cure.

Other helpful tips

  1. Your new driveway can be marked up by cars starting out too fast and turning too quickly. Please do not turn your steering wheel back and forth while your car is on or off.
  2. In the first 12 months while your driveway is curing, don’t park in the same spot every time.
  3. Excessive weight from very large vehicles (RV’s, trailers) can depress your new driveway.
  4. Be wary that lawn chairs, kickstands and even high heels during the warm summer months can create holes and depressions in your driveway.
  5. Please note the edges are the weakest part of your driveway due to lack of side support.
  6. It is normal for your driveway to look smoother in some areas than others do to the fact that asphalt mixture is not consistent.
  7. Do not leave your car parked on your new driveway for an extended period of time to avoid indentation.
  8. If your car is known to leak oil, antifreeze or any other liquids, you should put something underneath it to avoid deterioration of the asphalt.
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