Services We Offer

 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  • Tar and Chip Driveways
  • Retaining Walls/Retainer Walls (Gallery)
  • Asphalt Paving
  • Cobblestone driveways
  • Concrete driveways
  • Bluestone Patios
  • Bluestone Pavers
  • Cement
  • Private Roads
  • Parking Lots
  • Driveways
  • Pot Holes
  • Seal Coating (Big or Small)
  • Hot Rubber Crack Sealing Repair
  • Stone Driveways
  • Gravel
  • Local Deliveries, Hauling Mulch, Top Soil, Stone or Gravel
  • Landscaping, Hardscaping, Retaining Walls, Paving Stones
  • Drainage Work and Light Excavation
  • Tar and Chip Paving (oil & stone)
  • Asphalt Curbing
  • Snow Plowing

    • We serve residential and commercial customers in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut.

     

    Tips for Paving an Asphalt Driveway

     
    Roller

    Paving a driveway comes with many important benefits, such as better parking, greater curb appeal and the ability to keep the exterior of the home in tip-top shape. The most important part of paving an asphalt driveway takes place before the first asphalt is even poured. A good gravel base must be laid down first in order to have a well functioning driveway. The gravel base should be between 2 and 8 inches thick in order to be sufficient. Pay careful attention to the base because if the base is too thin or too thick it will produce an inferior driveway.

    Asphalt itself is blended with an aggregate. It contains stones, sand and liquid asphalt cement. This cement is a product of petroleum. It is heated until it becomes liquified. This liquid cement and aggregate blend is poured on top of the gravel base in order to create the driveway. 

    Asphalt produces a thick black driveway. It absorbs heat in the winter, helping to melt any new snow or ice that falls on the surface. Asphalt driveways are very durable, obtaining only a minimum amount of cracks. On the contrary, asphalt driveways are not as durable in cold climates. 

    Paving companies and construction firms have experimented with the water composition found in asphalt in order to eliminate some of the weather damage homeowners experience with their asphalt driveways. The asphalt can resist more cold temperatures. 

    This more weather resistant asphalt driveway is sometimes called a chip seal. It is made with asphalt in which 30 percent of the liquid cement has been replaced with water. Asphalt is extremely hot when laid down so the heat causes the water in the mixture to evaporate. This produces a more weather resistant finish. 

    Finished A layer of gravel is put on top of the asphalt after the water has evaporated from the driveway. A special spreader is used to scatter the small pieces of gravel over the newly poured asphalt. Then a drum roller is used to pack the gravel down.

    Since the asphalt is still warm it will hold onto the gravel, adding texture to the finished driveway. This is known as a "chip seal" driveway. It is becoming more and more popular everyday.

    Some more about Asphalt Paving

    Asphalt paving is a type of concrete mixture. It’s black and made from material found in crude petroleum. The material is mixed with an aggregate. It is mostly used to make roads and driveways. The installation process of asphalt paving is a major multiple step project.

    Step 1 – Prepare the Area for Asphalt Paving

    If an old driveway is already in place it would be best to remove it. Asphalt paving installs better when it is paved onto soil or fresh gravel. With this in mind, it is a good idea to get the area ready by either removing the old driveway material or removing all plant material from the area that will be paved. 
    If an inset driveway is preferred, it would be best to dig the foundation or mold at this time. Be sure to dig the path for paving deep enough to hold both the asphalt and the gravel base that the asphalt will be poured onto.

    Step 2 – Set the Gravel for Asphalt Paving

    For the best results the asphalt paving she be put on top of a gravel base that is between 2 and 8 inches deep. Gravel that is used in standard roads tends to be best for this part of the job.

    Step 3 – Select a Contractor

    The hot-mix asphalt requires special machinery to mix and lay. The high temperatures it takes to keep the mix liquid enough for forming can be too much to handle without professional help.

    When choosing a contractor for the paving job be sure to:

    • Get more than one quote;
    • Vet backgrounds;
    • Carefully schedule the project so the prep work can be completely done before to the contractor arrives.

    One important thing to remember is that when you choose to lay asphalt paving choose a day that is sunny and rain-free to make it work best. Also, the temperature outside should be 70 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.

    Step 4 – Allow for Settling Time

    Before asphalt paving will be ready to use it will need to dry and set in place. This amount of time can vary based on the weather conditions. If the conditions are right the actual installation can take under a half-hour.