• Hot Mix Asphalt is your best choice! By selecting Hot Mix Asphalt, you have chosen America's favorite paving material. More than 93% of the paved surfaces in America are asphalt pavements.



• Hot Mix Asphalt is a mixture of aggregate (stone or sand) and liquid petroleum asphalt. The hot petroleum binds the aggregate together into an extremely durable pavement. Hot Mix Asphalt is your best choice for several reasons.



• The price/cost of Hot Mix Asphalt pavement is competitively based and is directly dependent upon the overall price/cost of oil. So if oil prices are high or increasing the price of asphalt will be high too. With this in mind, if you already have an asphalt parking lot or driveway, it makes it that much more important financially to preserve your investment with good and timely maintenance (patching, crack-filling and especially sealcoating).



• The flexibility of Hot Mix Asphalt pavement allows it to be easily formed to various terrain features.



• Hot Mix Asphalt pavement does not require a long curing time. You can drive on it relatively soon after it is placed.



• Hot Mix Asphalt resists frost-freeze actions that cause cracks in other pavements.



• In addition to driveways and parking lots, Hot Mix Asphalt mixtures may be formulated for special purposes such as for driveways, roads, bike paths, retention basins, sidewalks, and tennis courts.

• Sealcoating should only be applied every 2 to 3 years.



• Beware of fantastic savings, especially "act now" offers from new contractors.



• Make sure you are getting what you pay for.



• Never purchase from persons traveling door-to-door.



• Quality contractors never have enough "extra" material left over to complete another job.



• The price/cost of Asphalt pavement is competitively based and is directly dependent upon the overall price/cost of oil. So if oil prices are high or increasing the price of new asphalt will be high too. This makes it even more important financially to preserve your investment with good and timely maintenance (patching, crack-filling and especially sealcoating) because the cost to replace may be prohibitive.



• Don't be afraid to ask the contractor questions such as: How much experience do they have? Are they insured? Do they warranty and guarantee their work? Can they provide references?

• Selecting your paving contractor is your second most important decision. Get multiple bids and customer references from at least two reliable contractors.



• Make No Verbal Contracts.



• Discuss pavement thickness, drainage and soil conditions, grade (slope), subgrade preparation (including chemical spraying to prevent weed growth), compacting the pavement to the specified thickness, smoothness tolerances, patching and compacting holes and other trouble spots in existing pavement, returning your yard to its pre-construction condition, payment schedule, and warranties and guarantees.



• In existing driveways, poor drainage or gas spills can cause bad spots that may need to be patched before re-surfacing. To prevent further damage, determine and address those problems before patching.



• Insist that your agreement be in writing, including all the details and your specifications. Be sure to indicate what type of vehicles will use your driveway or parking lot.



• Changes that you and the contractor agree upon, after signing your original contract, should be in writing and signed by both parties.

• Pavement Thickness
  The optimum thickness for a long lasting, trouble free application is 4 inches (2.5" base and 1.5" top). Less may result in earlier repairs/replacement. Accept nothing less than 3" as it is likely to fail in less than 5 years.



• Grade (slope), drainage and soil conditions
  There needs to be adequate drainage to keep water from accumulating under the pavement. Freeze/thaw of the water will break up the pavement.



• Patching and compacting holes and other trouble spots in existing pavement
  In existing driveways, poor drainage or gas spills can cause bad spots which can cause failture of resurfaces if not repaired beforehand.



• Sub-grade preparation (including chemical spraying to prevent weed growth)
  There needs to be adequate stone (6-8") under the pavement to provide a firm base. This helps prevent the pavement from moving and also assists in drainage. Less may jeopardize the length of life of the pavement. Weed/seed under the pavement may result in growth later through the pavement and cracking/holes.



• Compacting the pavement to specified thickness
  Compaction of the pavement (and the sub-base underneath) increases the strength the pavement and improves the smoothness and general appearance. A small roller will not generate enough compaction.
  
  Returning the yard to its pre-construction condition
  
  If a yard is not restored so that soil/grass rises to just below the level of the pavement, water can more easily get under the pavement, plus the edges of the pavement may crack and fall away because of lack of support.



• Warranties
  Ask about any warranties. They should be in writing, signed, and of at least one year in duration, covering materials and workmanship. This is the standard in the industry.

• Vehicle use
• Drainage and soil conditions
• Grade
• Sub-grade preparation
• Pavement thickness
• Compaction
• Correcting trouble spots
• Yard repairs
• Price
• Guarantees and warranties
• Maintenance
• Contracts in writing
• Job specification in writing
• Job changes in writing

(Based upon various cities, counties and MDOT specs, and on average loads and soils).

For maximum life (approximately 15-20 years) and reduced repairs.

"Reduced thickness usually means reduced life."

• Every paving season brings new stories of homeowners who were offered special deals for driveway paving but were taken in by con-artists. Most frequently, the bargain is offered by someone who "just happens to be in the neighborhood." They say they are able to give fantastic savings, especially if you "act now" and "pay now." Their favorite target is usually senior citizens. Their favorite technique is fear and intimidation. If you are approached with such a deal, be cautious!



• Bad work by these kinds of pavers is not always immediately apparent to the inexperienced eye. What you may get is bad design, poor workmanship, and incorrect placement that soon begins to crack and crumble.



• If you already have an asphalt driveway or parking area, these door-to-door contractors may also try to sell you some kind of asphalt sealing application. Be cautious. You may be buying nothing more than colored water.



• Investigate the company's reputation. If you have any doubt about a contractor's reputation, check the telephone directory listings, ask for credit and bank references, and call the local Chamber of Commerce or Better Business Bureau. Or, give your County Road Commission Office a call and ask if they know who the contractor is? Don't be fooled by business cards that appear legitimate or claims of working with asphalt production plants in your area. Ask questions! Investigate!