Frequently Asked Questions here at General Paving and Construction Corp. in Rocky Hill, CT

 Answer: Please stay off your driveway for 7 days. Since the liquid asphalt in blacktop needs time to harden and cure, usually 6-12 months, your driveway will remain soft and pliable until then. Your new blacktop will soften and harden as temperatures rise and fall. You may walk on your new driveway immediately, but keep automobile traffic off it for at least 7 full days and longer in hotter temperatures. Even after the blacktop has cured, do not expect it to be as hard as concrete.

Answer: You may notice scuffing on your driveway. This is caused by car tires turning on the new asphalt. You may even notice this next summer. This is very common. The suppliers have been required by the State of Connecticut to produce more pliable asphalt that will move better with the New England weather. As a result, the curing time is much longer than it used to be. Do not be alarmed. This will not hurt the driveway and the scuff marks will eventually disappear. During the first 6-12 months while your driveway is curing don’t park in the same spot every time. Do not turn your steering wheel back and forth when your car is not moving.

Answer: Avoid using jack stands or car ramps unless a piece of plywood is placed under them to help distribute the weight.

Answer: Excessive weight from large, heavy vehicles can depress your new blacktop. Keep oil trucks, pickup trucks and any other heavy trucks off your new driveway for at least 3 weeks. When storing campers for long periods of time, place a piece of plywood under the tongue jack and also under the tires.

Answer: Lawn chairs, high heels, bicycle and motorcycle kickstands exert weight on concentrated areas and will create holes and depressions in your new driveway.

Answer: The edges are the weakest part of your driveway due to the lack of side support. Avoid driving on the edges since they will crack and crumble in time. We suggest building up the sides of your driveway with topsoil. This will support the edges and enhance the appearance after grass is grown. 

Answer: Although every effort is made to avoid puddles in your driveway, some small ones are inevitable depending on the natural slope and drainage of your ground.

Answer: Your driveway may look smoother in some areas than in others because of the makeup of blacktop. Blacktop has various sizes of stone, sand, liquid asphalt, and other ingredients which cause a varied texture of the surface. Also, blacktop areas that have been raked and spread with hand tools may appear different in texture from those spread by machine.

Answer: Sealcoating may help protect your driveway from the elements and some minor oil spills, but is not mandatory. If you decide to sealcoat your driveway, please wait 3-5 years before the first application. Sealing too soon may cause damage to your new driveway.