FAQ's

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

A: Asphalt pavements are a combination of approximately 95% stone, sand, or gravel bound together by asphalt cement, a product of crude oil. Many other products can be recycled into asphalt pavement to reduce the need for virgin stone, sand, gravel and asphalt cement reducing the final cost of the pavement. Items typically recycled in asphalt pavements are: recycled asphalt pavement (RAP), recycled asphalt shingles (RAS), ground tire rubber (GTR) and even plastics making asphalt pavements extremely sustainable!
A: Asphalt is the most economical paving material in the world. Pavements can be evaluated on both initial cost and life cycle cost. In most circumstances, asphalt pavement will provide the most economical solution in terms of initial cost and when evaluated over a 30 year long period, life cycle cost as well. This is one of the reasons 94% of all paved roads in the U.S. are paved with asphalt.
A: No! It is a common misconception that asphalt used on the interstate is the same material used in parking lots and residential driveways. An asphalt mixture that is designed for use on a heavily traveled highway has very different characteristics than those used in low volume residential applications. Those differences may include different aggregate types, sizes and proportions as well as different grades of liquid asphalt.
A: No! Asphalt pavements typically last as long as their rough riding counterpart. In fact, many State Departments of Transportation use the same overall design life for the two pavement materials.
A: There really are many reasons to choose an asphalt pavement including: speed of construction, smoothness, versatility, quiet, durability and sustainable. See the section called, Why Asphalt for more information on these attributes.

Avoid Paving Scams!

A: No! Rarely, will a reputable contractor sell asphalt door to door. Furthermore, professional asphalt contractors measure their projects with extreme accuracy leaving little mix leftover.
A: No! Reputable contractors will provide written estimates that are valid for days or weeks. Additionally, a contract will often be included with the estimate or a separate document will be provided to execute the work. Do your homework and check references before entering into any agreement.
A: No! Trustworthy contractors accept other forms of payment such as check and/or credit card.
A: No! Most paving contractors operate near their home base and most will have signs and the like on their equipment advertising who they are and what they do. If the equipment is unmarked and/or the company is not at all near your location, research them before working with them.

Do not be a victim of a paving scam! Your pavement is an investment and like any other investment, do your homework and know the facts. This is the single best way to protect yourself from scams and subpar work!