In our four decades of installing some of the best Asphalt in Calgary and the surrounding area, G & V Paving & Contracting Ltd. has had a chance to talk to thousands of customers about their paving needs. In that time, we’ve had a number of Asphalt related questions that came up on multiple occasions.
These commonly asked questions are important to our customers, and therefore important to us.
What is the best time of the year to install Asphalt if the project requires Gravel and Paving?
The construction season generally runs from mid April through November, weather permitting. Within that period, choosing a time is up to you, but some periods may be busier than others. We recommended that you book your paving project as soon as possible in order to avoid delays.
How do I avoid another Winter with a failing driveway ?
G & V Paving & Contracting Ltd. can replace or resurface your old Asphalt – no more struggling with snow removal on an uneven, cracked driveway! You’ll be amazed how much easier snow removal is with brand new, smooth pavement. The dark asphalt also warms to melt snow and ice almost any time the sun shines, making it much easier to clean.
Should I have my asphalt repaired or replaced if my property is being put on the market?
Brand new asphalt paving is a great selling point for any property, and it contributes to the curb appeal that is so important to property and home buyers. By the same token, deteriorating asphalt is a quick way to send potential buyers on their way to look at another property. If you’re planning to sell, contact G & V Paving & Contracting Ltd. in advance to make sure your new asphalt is properly finished and ready for traffic before you put your home or property on the market.
How long will it take to complete my asphalt project?
The project timeline depends on the scope and size of work, the time of year and how early in the year the agreement is signed. It is best to book your paving project as soon as possible to avoid delays.
What preparations are needed for an asphalt project?
The preparation depends on existing conditions and the project scope.Contact us to request a quote and estimated timeline for your project.
How will the pavement look when it is finished?
After paving, asphalt is smooth and very dark in color. Some variations in its appearance and texture are normal. As time goes by, your paving project will become lighter in color and texture changes will occur.
How long will my new asphalt pavement last?
Properly installed and maintained asphalt should last approximately 15-30 years. The actual time asphalt lasts depends on subsoil conditions, frost, use, drainage and numerous other factors.
Will my pavement crack?
In time, all asphalt will develop cracks. Age has no bearing on when and how much it may crack. Cracks develop due to a number of reasons, such as subsoil type, drainage, and more. Fortunately, cracks in asphalt are easily repaired.
What warranties do you offer for asphalt?
We offer a 1 year warranty for asphalt paving projects.
Do I need to sealcoat my asphalt?
Using a quality seal coat will increase the life and appearance of your asphalt project. Seal coating your asphalt will lock in the existing oils to keep the asphalt flexible, which reduces cracking. It is very important that you use only top-quality seal coat.
We recommend that you seal coat your driveway 3 years after install and every 5 years thereafter. Properly applied seal coating can maintain the beauty of your asphalt project and help protect it from the sun’s rays, oil and gas spills. .
How do I Prevent Oil & Gasoline Spills?
Asphalt is an oil-based material. Gasoline and oil spills can dissolve the surface of your asphalt and cause deterioration. Avoid spilling or leaking these materials and clean up any spills using absorbent materials to minimize the damage. Ideally, driveways should be should be sealed three years after install and every 5 years thereafter.
How do I fill my Asphalt cracks?
Cracks may appear due to movement in the base and/or subsoil during a freeze or thaw cycle. Movement can also result from water seeping under the asphalt. Water seepage can be due to landscape design, too much rain or over-watering. In Calgary and the surrounding area, eventual cracking is unavoidable.
Keeping the cracks filled and your asphalt seal coated will help keep your asphalt project in good condition.
G & V Paving will do Commercial crack filling. You can fill cracks yourself, using a variety of products designed for that purpose.
How do I protect my driveway edges?
The edges are the weakest part of asphalt projects due to the lack of side support. Avoid driving on asphalt edges since they will crack and crumble over time. We suggest building up the soil near the sides of your driveway with topsoil to approximately one inch from the top of the asphalt. This allows room for sod growth and water drainage, and will support the edges and enhance the appearance after the grass is grown.
How do I stop weeds & grass from growing through asphalt cracks?
Vegetation, such as weeds and grass are able to push through asphalt. In most cases you can use a spot weed killer to remedy the situation. Sometimes, large plants or trees located near the edge of the asphalt project will push through. It is recommended to remove the plants to provide a long-term solution.
What is Geotechnical Fabric Reinforcement?
From yards, to parking lots, and to roadways, geogrids provide a proven solution to base reinforcement and pavement optimization. Pavement structures can fail prematurely due to the lateral displacement and weakening of base course aggregate. The structural strength provided by geogrid products can allow for the installation of thinner base course sections, reduced asphalt thickness, or the improved performance of conventionally designed structures.
How do the Sub base and Base work in Asphalt Pavement installations?
In a pavement structure, the granular base and sub base are compacted aggregate layers between the asphalt and the underlying sub grade material. The base is the load bearing layer immediately below the pavement layers, and serves to provide strength and support to the overlying pavement.
The sub base is below the base and serves as the foundation for the overall pavement structure, transmitting traffic loads to the sub grade. These layers are formed by spreading the aggregate in layers and then it is compacted with heavy equipment until the material forms a dense layer of interlocking aggregate. To perform well, base and sub base aggregates must be strong and durable and must meet very specific gradationrequirements.
How do you deal with resurfacing?
Some adjustments will be made to areas such as gutters, sidewalks, garage floors, storm sewers and the street approach aprons in order to maintain proper drainage. The next part of the process involves preparation of the existing asphalt driveway. Then we use a tack coat to help bond the new layer of asphalt to the existing pavement.
G & V Paving & Contracting Ltd. will then pave a fresh asphalt course that will level your asphalt project to ensure adequate drainage. When resurfacing, the best months are June, July and August as the surface temperature must be above 10 degrees Celsius to provide a superior product.
How do Potholes form and how can they be prevented?
Water gets into the pavement base, creating a small cavity. The unsupported pavement then falls away creating a pothole.
In order to prevent pot holes, stop water from getting in under the pavement. Build a durable road with good drainage, adequate pavement thickness, tight joints and then maintain the road by sealing cracks. G & V Paving & Contracting Ltd. fixes potholes by cleaning the hole, squaring up the edges, using a hot mix tack coating on the edges for a better bond then adding the asphalt. The patch is then compacted and rolled with an asphalt roller or a hand held vibratory compactor.
