Since the liquid asphalt and blacktop needs time to harden and cure, usually 12-24 months, your driveway will remain soft and pliable so you must take proper care as described until then. If your ground consists of clay, your driveway will  remain softer than normal for a longer period of time. You may walk on your new driveway immediately, but keep the automobile traffic of it for at least seven full days and longer in hotter temperatures. Even after the blacktop has cured, do not expect it to be as hard as concrete. 

 

Your new driveway will soften and harden as temperatures rise and fall. Although every effort is made to avoid puddles in your driveway, some sinkage and pudding may occur which is inevitable which may be due to natural occurrences underground such as, poor drainage, ground expanding and contracting during winter months, or if you have poor sub – soil such as ground consisting of clay, or rodents digging tunnels under asphalt. 

 

Blacktop is scarred by automobiles starting out too fast, pulling in too quickly, or parking during hot days when asphalt is soft. If your driveway appears soft in front of the garage, curved areas, and where you make turns, sprinkle play sand in these areas to help glide tires over the surface more easily to avoid tire marks.

 

During the first 12 months while your driveway is curing and on hot days, don’t park in the same spot every time. This may cause tire marks. If your sub – soil consists of clay, tire marks in your driveway will be unavoidable due to the spongy consistency of clay. Do not turn your steering wheel while not in motion, and try to avoid three-point turns, this may cause graveling, and tire marks. 

 

Avoid using jack stands or car ramps unless a piece of plywood is placed under them to help distribute the weight, as well as for flower pots or basketball hoops, or any heavy object. 

 

Excessive weight from large heavy vehicles can depress your new driveway, especially along the edges. Keep oil trucks and other heavy trucks off your driveway for up to 6 to 12 months, if possible. When storing campers, place a piece of plywood under the tongue jack and also under the tires.

 

Bicycles and motorcycle kickstands exert weight on concentrated areas and will create holes and depressions in your driveway. Especially watch out for those pointy high heels during the warm months.

 

The edges are the weakest part of the driveway due to lack of side support. Avoid driving on the edges since they may crack or crumble. You must build up the sides of your driveway with topsoil or gravel. This will help support the edges and enhance the appearance after grass has grown. 

 

To preserve your new driveway, you should Seal Coat it approximately 4-12 months after  it has been paved; season starts usually May- ends early- mid-October (weather permitting). Asphalt is a naturally porous material which allows water to seep into and through the pavement, this dries asphalt out causing early deterioration resulting in upheaval, sinkage, graveling, and cracks. Roof water runoff creates a water line of erosion, gutters will avoid that. Asphalt is also softened and erodes by gas, grease, or anti-freeze which sometimes drips from cars, or salt. Seal Coat is impervious to these harmful elements. Seal Coat helps to preserve and protect asphalt from these issues. Unprotected driveways remain porous, dry out, become rough, gravel loosens, and loses it’s life more rapidly. If Seal Coating is not done 4-12 months after new driveway install guarantee becomes void. Please call if you have any questions. 

 

Landscaping: Customer responsible for back filling and leveling the edges surrounding the new driveway which will offer support, and will avoid gravel / ground wash away. Also, if water collects along the edge of the driveway customer must regrade or create a swale in the adjacent ground to allow water to run. If this does not alleviate the water issue, a drainage system may need to be installed. Customer must take proper care as described in care booklet otherwise guarantee is void. Please call with any questions regarding the care and what to expect with your new driveway.