The 3 Golden Rules of Asphalt Maintenance

Whether you are talking about your home's driveway or a commercial parking lot, asphalt paving is a big investment. Nobody wants to pay to have their driveway repaved every five years, so follow these three rules to make your asphalt last for decades!

Rule #1: Prevent water from pooling on your asphalt surface.

Water seems like no big deal, but it is actually one of asphalt's biggest enemies. When water collects on a driveway or parking lot, it can penetrate the surface of the asphalt and infiltrate the base. This water freezes during the colder months, causing it to expand and create cracks and potholes. If you notice water pooling on your driveway, call a professional to discuss drainage solutions.

Rule #2: Clean all oil and gas spills immediately.

Oil and gas spills aren't just unsightly, they are dangerous to your driveway. Much like water can penetrate an asphalt surface, oil and gas can break down the cement's binding agent, causing premature deterioration. If you spill oil on your driveway, scrub it off immediately using a mixture of water and dish detergent.

Rule #3: Apply a fresh sealcoat every 3-5 years.

Sealcoating is a staple in any asphalt maintenance routine. A fresh sealcoat adds an extra layer of defense to the surface of your driveway – helping protect it from water, oil, and the sun's ultraviolet rays. Sealcoating also restores the deep black color of your asphalt and can even patch small cracks. When you consider that sealcoating can often be applied for mere pennies per square foot, it is easy to see why it is such a smart investment!

When it comes to maintaining your asphalt surface, nobody knows more than the experts at Roccie's Asphalt. As southwestern Connecticut's premier paving contractor, don't trust anyone but us for your next driveway installation, repair, or sealcoating. If you live in Fairfield County, Connecticut or Westchester County, New York, call us for a free estimate at 888-88-ROCCIES.

About Our Services | Roccie's Asphalt Paving

Roccie's Asphalt has been in business since 1956, yet many of our customers still don't know about all of the services we provide. If you think all we do is driveways, you'll be pleased to learn about our other offerings, including:

Driveway Installation, Repair, Sealcoating, and Resurfacing. An asphalt driveway is only as good as the contractor who installs it. Roccie's Asphalt uses the highest quality materials and knowledgeable workers to install a long-lasting driveway that will look beautiful for years to come. Whether you need a new driveway installed, or just need your existing one repaired, look no further than us.

Commercial Parking Lot Services. Businesses can also take advantage of our paving services to make their parking a focal point of their facility. A freshly-paved parking lot can offer a company many benefits, including expanded parking, increased foot traffic, and less chance of injury and vehicular damage.

Basketball and Tennis Court Installations. Have you always dreamed of having a basketball or tennis court in your back yard? Let our paving experts turn that dream into a reality. We can help you transform your home into your very own private sports venue.

Masonry and Decorative Stone Finishes. Nothing complements an asphalt driveway quite like a well-constructed masonry structure, or decorative stone detailing. Our masonry team are truly artists at work, carefully laying brick after brick until they have turned your project into a piece of art that your neighbors will envy.

Roccie's Asphalt proudly serves Fairfield County, CT and Westchester County, NY. Visit our website for more information, or call us for a free estimate at 888-88-ROCCIES.

4 Reasons Asphalt Driveways Crack

Given enough time, every asphalt driveway will eventually crack. For some, it may only take a couple of years, while others will require a couple of decades. Many circumstances can cause an asphalt driveway to crack, but these four causes are by far the most common...

Reason #1: Poorly-installed base.

An asphalt driveway is only as good as the base it is installed on. If your driveway is built on top of a poorly-installed base, it is doomed from the start. You want to find a reputable contractor that utilizes a base consisting of crushed stone, not a lighter material such as sand or dirt.

Reason #2: Excessive weight.

Asphalt is tough, but it is not invincible. Like every material, asphalt has a weight limit, and it will break if exceeded. The exact weight limit of every driveway is different, but do your best to avoid parking large loads (such as a big rig truck or a roll-off dumpster) on yours.

Reason #3: Freeze-thaw cycle.

If you live in a cold climate, the freeze-thaw cycle during the winter can cause significant damage to your driveway. This is why so many new potholes are formed during the early spring – water penetrates the surface of the driveway and freezes when the temperature drops, causing it to expand and create pressure from under the surface.

Reason #4: They weren't maintained properly.

A little bit of maintenance can go a long way towards preserving your asphalt driveway. A staple in any good asphalt maintenance routine is sealcoating, which adds an extra layer of defense to your driveway. When applied every couple of years, a fresh sealcoat can protect your driveway from water, and prevent small surface cracks from worsening.

If you live in Fairfield County, CT or Westchester County, NY, trust the experts at Roccie's Paving to help you install and maintain your asphalt driveway. Visit us online or call 888-88-ROCCIES to learn more about our professional paving services.

How to Separate a Reputable Contractor from a Scam

Not all contractors are created equal. In fact, when it comes to the home improvement and paving industries, many “contractors” are not contractors at all. Read through these tips from Roccie's Asphalt to avoid scammers and make sure you are dealing with a reputable company.

When it comes to paperwork...

A reputable contractor will have everything a buyer needs to feel comfortable. This includes proper licensing, insurance, and a portfolio of their past work or a list of references. Their trucks will be marked with their company name, and they should have a website, landline, and email address. A quick Google search for their name should yield results from the BBB, Angie's List, and other similar reference sites.

A scammer won't have any of these things. They are generally unlicensed, uninsured, and have no references to show their potential customers. Their trucks will be unmarked, and they will have no online presence or contact information to speak of – maybe a cell phone number which can easily be disconnected after they take your money.

When it comes to sales tactics...

A reputable contractor will treat you with respect and patience. They will take the time to explain their process step by step, and should never pressure you into making a decision on the spot. If you need some time to do research, they will be understanding and give you a phone number to call back when you are ready to make a decision.

A scammer will do everything they can to get your money then and there. This includes unsolicited visits and high-pressure sales tactics. Be suspicious of someone who shows up to your home in an unmarked vehicle, saying that they have leftover materials from a job they just finished down the road and can give you a great price. This is a very common scam that many homeowners fall victim to.

When it comes to pricing...

A reputable contractor will offer a price that falls somewhere in range of market value. A good contractor should give you a written estimate that includes a firm price, as well as the materials and processes that will be used during installation.

A scammer will low-ball you in order to draw your interest. They will say things such as “this price is only good for the next 24 hours” so you don't have time to do your research. If the price sounds to good to be true, it probably is.

Looking for a reputable paving contractor? Look no further than Roccie's Asphalt. For more than 60 years, we have been the premier choice for homeowners in Fairfield County, CT and Westchester County, NY. Visit us online for more information, or give us a call at 888-88-ROCCIES.