FAQ Category: Asphalt Paving FAQ'S

When your asphalt pavement is brand new the surface is very black. Sometimes, you may be able to notice roller marks and some areas where hand work was done may be more visible. After a short time of usage, however, the surface will blend together and have a very smooth appearance.

Some asphalt repair work can be completed in the winter/cooler months. Usually a temporary repair is done with a proper repair done in prime weather conditions.

Normally, 24-hours is all that is required to use your new asphalt surface. In very warm weather, we recommend staying off the fresh asphalt for 1 – 2 days, as the surface cools

Nothing specific is required. It is best to wait at least 24 hours before driving on the new surface. We often advise that you wait longer during hot weather. Following installation, be sure to follow a regular preventative maintenance plan, including sealcoating and crack filling, to keep your asphalt looking its best. 

We will need full access to the site with garage doors open. We contact Diggers Hotline before starting any project.

Leave the garage door open and remove any vehicles.

There are many things you can do to keep your asphalt paving looking great. Killing weeds along the edges, treating any oil or gas spills, filling any open cracks, and keeping the pavement sealed will greatly extend the life of any asphalt surface.

It is best to have asphalt maintenance done professionally. Many do-it-yourself products are available, but are not up to the standards used by our team of asphalt paving professionals. There is also a skill level required to apply certain products. Applied incorrectly, any repair solution or sealing ‘cure’ can actually cause damage.

Porous asphalt allows water to pass-through the asphalt to a specially prepared gravel base. Permeable pavement provides a method to reduce runoff over impervious surfaces that allows for the management and treatment of stormwater on-site while creating a usable area.

Old asphalt is returned to our yard at our recycle facility. At one time, old asphalt was used primarily to build temporary roadways in landfill sites. Now, all recycled asphalt and “crushed reclaim” is a valuable product. Used in various amounts and formulations, reclaimed asphalt is found in many of the asphalt mixes used by

Cold mix is used mostly in off-season situations, or where a quick fix is needed. Hot mix is used during prime season.

Product type for each unique paving project is determined by one of our asphalt paving professionals. Inspection of the site will indicate the best match for the anticipated usage. On most Municipal and new Commercial sites, the specification for the product is provided by the architect or engineering firm. We then formulate the product to

One crew prepares the base to make sure the sub-grade drains properly, then it’s built to the required specifications to support the anticipated load bearing needs. A second crew arrives with the paving equipment and product. Asphalt is placed in one, two, or 3 layers, depending on the required specifications.

On some occasions, it is possible to apply a new layer of asphalt over an old layer. A qualified asphalt paving professional will need to inspect the site to make that determination. Unfortunately, overlays are often done on pavement surfaces that should be repaired or replaced entirely. At Ramsey Asphalt, we will only overlay when