Frequently Asked Questions

W.R. Walton Contracting is committed to bringing you many years of satisfaction with your asphalt driveway. The finest care has been taken in the prepration and installation, but your care is essential to keeping your driveway in its best condition. We have assembled this informative guide to help you understand how asphalt is manufactured and the best way to care for it.

Determination of Product

Asphalt is a manmade product consisting of oil, liquid asphalt, sand and stone.

Installation Factors

When purchased, asphalt is 400º F and takes many days to cool enough to drive on. Since asphalt is an oil based product, the oils must rise to the surface and evaporate before the asphalt reaches maximum strength. Usually 4-6 months is adequate. Being a manmade product, no two truck loads are exactly alike. One might contain slightly more oil or sand or stone than the next.

Since asphalt is a dark, heated product, the sun can reheat and soften the surface. On a sunny day with 85º F air temperature the asphalt surface can reach 130º F, making it susceptible to scuff marks and tire prints if not treated with maximum care. This has nothing to do with the installation and is totally beyond the contractor’s control. It is the nature of the product’s reaction to heat determined by the manufacturer’s blend of ingredients.

A correctly installed driveway should not settle or crack. Adequate gravel depth, properly compacted, provides a solid base. 2” of binder asphalt for strength followed by 2” of finish asphalt should produce a stable driveway lasting 15 to 20 years.

Beating the Elements

Asphalt is not concrete. It cannot withstand heavy equipment, cars and campers parked in one spot for prolonged periods of time. It can easily be dented by fallen tree branches, hand tools, bicycle kickstands, lawn furniture, and ladders. It can easily be scuffed by power steering, snow plows, or dragging heavy objects across it.

Asphalt has severe reactions to petroleum products, such as gas, oil and diesel fuel. These products will eat right through asphalt, totally disrupting the bond between ingredients.

Do's and Don't's

Do hose down your driveway during warm weather to keep the surface cool.

Do apply a rubberized seal coat the following year after installation to seal in surface stones and keep out moisture.

Do keep your driveway surface free of debris such as acorns, rocks and nails, etc. They can easily become imbedded during warm weather.

Do check automobiles for oil leaks, especially if car is always parked in the same spot.

Never use power steering in a stationary position. Always turn wheel slowly with car in motion.

Don’t leave sharp objects on driveway. Bicycle kickstands, furniture, ladders and pointed tools. On warm days even high heels will sink in slightly if you stand in one spot too long.

Don’t change engine oil on driveway.

Don’t fuel lawnmowers or gas powered tools on driveway.

Don’t park in exactly the same place repeatedly.

Don’t drive over edges of driveways. Edges are a driveway’s weakest point!