Caring for Your Home

Main Topic Index » Topics A through D

Asphalt

Asphalt is a flexible and specialized surface. Like any other surface in your home, it requires protection from things that can damage it. Over time, the effects of weather and earth movement will cause minor settling and cracking of the paving. These are normal reactions to the elements and do not constitute improperly installed asphalt or defective material. Avoid using your driveway for one week after it is installed.

Asphalt is a petroleum product. Gasoline, oil, turpentine, and other solvent or petroleum products can dissolve or damage the surface. Wash such spills with soap and water, and then rinse them thoroughly with plain water immediately.

Avoid any concentrated or prolonged loads on your asphalt, particularly in hot weather. High- heeled shoes, motorcycle or bicycle kickstands, trailers, or even cars left in the same spot for long periods can create depressions or punctures in asphalt.

Avoid nonresidential traffic such as heavy trucks on your driveway; it was designed for residential use only.

Exposure to sunlight and other weather conditions will fade your driveway, allowing the surface gravel material to be more visible. This is a normal condition and not a material or structural problem. You do not need to treat the surface of your asphalt driveway. However, if you choose to treat it, wait a minimum of 12 months and use a dilute asphalt emulsion, rather than the more common coal tar sealant.

We perform any asphalt repairs by overlay patching. Oliver Homes is not responsible for the inevitable differences in color between the patch and the original surface. Sealcoating can eliminate this cosmetic condition and is your responsibility.

If cracking that resembles the skin of an alligator develops under normal residential use I the first year, Oliver Homes will repair it. If improper use, such as heavy truck traffic, has caused the condition, repairs will be your responsibility.

Settling next to your garage floor of up to 1-1/2 inches across the width of the driveway is normal. Settling or depressions elsewhere in the driveway of up to one inch in any eight-foot radius are considered normal. We will repair settling that occurs in the first year exceeding these standards. A crack at the edge is a normal condition and is not a warranty item.

Your driveway will exhibit thermal cracking, usually during the first 12 months. These cracks help your driveway adapt to heating and freezing cycles. Cracks should be evaluated in the hottest months?July or August. We will repair cracks that exceed 1/2 inch in width in the first year. A feathered edge crack is normal in asphalt applications.