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.

Common Driveway Drainage Problems and Solutions

Did you know that water is one of asphalt's biggest enemies? While it may be a refreshing drink for us, water left standing on your driveway can cause cracks, potholes, and premature deterioration. If you notice puddles and pools forming after every rainstorm, this indicates a serious drainage issue.

Here are three common reasons for driveway drainage problems, and a few things you can do to correct them.

Improper Driveway Slope

The most effective weapon in combating driveway drainage problems is a healthy slope. Ideally, your driveway should be sloped slightly away from your home so that rainwater washes into the street or another designated drainage area. If your driveway isn't properly sloped, it may need to be graded by a professional contractor.

Poor Downspout Placement

Gutters play an important role for the home: protecting it from water damage. The sole purpose of the gutter system is to direct rain water away from your home and foundation. Unfortunately, many downspouts are emptied directly onto driveways, where the water can have an equally devastating effect. Use a downspout extender to keep water as far away from your home (and driveway) as possible.

Surface Damage

If your driveway is covered in cracks and potholes, it provides crevices for water to collect in. It also creates an easier path for water to infiltrate the foundation of your driveway, where it can begin to deteriorate the base. The best way to fix this problem is to patch all of your cracks as soon as they form, and sealcoat your driveway every few years.

In addition to these solutions, supplemental drainage components – such as trench drains – may need to be installed. If you live in Connecticut and suffer from any of these driveway drainage problems, give the paving experts at Roccie's Asphalt a call at 888-88-ROCCIES.

3 Common Misconceptions About Asphalt Paving

Although asphalt is one of the most commonly-used materials in the world, there is still a lot of misinformation being spread about it. Luckily, the experts at Roccie's Paving are here to defend this wonderful material by clearing up these three common misconceptions about asphalt paving.

Misconception #1: Asphalt is expensive.

Many people opt for concrete driveways because they are under the belief that they are cheaper than asphalt. The truth is, the price of concrete can be more than double that of asphalt, in terms of both installation and repair.

Misconception #2: Asphalt is not durable.

Asphalt has a bad reputation because people see alligator cracks and potholes and assume that happens to every asphalt surface. In reality, these problems occur as a result of poor maintenance or pre-existing problems beneath the surface. A properly-installed asphalt driveway can last upwards of 30 years with a little bit of maintenance and occasional sealcoating.

Misconception #3: Asphalt is not environmentally-friendly.

Because of the black, tarlike consistency of asphalt, it is perceived to be bad for the environment. Contrary to popular belief, this could not be further from the truth. Believe it or not, asphalt is one of the most eco-friendly materials on the planet. It is 100% recyclable and is actually the most-recycled material in the country. Not to mention the fact that porous asphalt reduces water runoff and allows more rainwater to reach the soil in the ground.

Want to get started on your next asphalt paving project? The experts at Roccie's Asphalt are just a phone call away! If you live in Fairfield County CT or Westchester County NY, call us for a free quote at 888-88-ROCCIES.

3 Ways to Save Money on Your Next Commercial Paving Project

A new asphalt parking lot is a significant investment for any business, but there are ways to limit your spending without sacrificing the quality of work. Here are three ways you can save money on your next asphalt paving project.

Save money with proper water drainage.

Water may be essential for human life, but it is detrimental to the life of your asphalt parking lot. Water left standing on an asphalt surface can break down the cement's binding agent, causing it to prematurely deteriorate. For this reason, implementing a sufficient drainage system is imperative for a long-lasting parking lot. Spending a little extra time and money to plan your drainage system now will save you from costly repairs and headaches down the road.

Save money by performing regular maintenance work.

There is an old adage that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. This is especially true when it comes to maintaining an asphalt parking lot. Fixing big problems is usually far more expensive than fixing small problems before they get out of control, or making sure little problems don't get started in the first place. Here are a few tasks that every good maintenance routine should include:

• Regularly sweep or power wash your parking lot to remove corrosive debris.
• Patch small cracks and potholes as they appear to prevent them from growing and spreading.
• Sealcoat your parking lot every 3-5 years to add a protective layer and seal small cracks.

Save money by choosing the right contractor.

Your asphalt parking lot is only as good as the contractor who installs it. The same job performed by two different contractors can yield two very different results; so it is important to find a reputable service with high-quality workmanship. A good contractor gets the job done right the first time, preventing future resurfacing and repaving jobs, which can cost a pretty penny.

If you own a business in Fairfield County, CT or Westchester County, NY, look no further than Roccie's Asphalt for all of your paving needs. As a BBB-accredited business with 60 years of experience, you can count on us to get the job done right for an honest price. Call us today for a free estimate at 888-88-ROCCIES.