224 North Main Street, Southampton NY 11968

(631) 283-0037

Existing Driveways & Temporary Drives

What alternatives do I have for a more temporary driveway?

~  If you are considering installing something temporarily for construction purposes, or are not sure exactly how the driveway will be configured permanently, you may wish to install RCA blend or stone only.  RCA (Recycle Concrete Aggregate) is a blend of recycled concrete, asphalt, brick and stone.  It holds up very well under rain and snow and does not turn to mud as easily as fill or topsoil would.  The material is most commonly used as a driveway base, therefore it makes an excellent starting point for a temporary application.    It can easily be upgraded and used under just about any driveway surface.  Stone can also be placed, over the RCA blend for a more pleasing look.

 

Can I resurface my existing driveway?

~  If your existing driveway is still in good shape, but needs to be updated, resurfacing is a good option. Asphalt or oil & stone can be applied over the existing surface giving an instantly new and updated look. It should be noted though; resurfacing is only as good as the base you’re covering. If new asphalt is placed over existing cracked asphalt, over time, the new asphalt will crack too. With that in mind, we do not recommend placing asphalt over existing concrete, as the two materials have different expansion and contraction rates in extreme weather. Adding oil & stone over the top of an existing asphalt or concrete driveway can dramatically change the look. Many sizes and color options are available, depending upon the stone type chosen.

 

Should I install oil & stone or just gravel only?

~  If you already have an existing oil & stone or gravel driveway, and just need to freshen up the look, you may be able to simply add more stone to the driveway surface.  If your driveway is beginning to develop larger bare spots or potholes and ruts, it may be time to re-grade and re-oil & stone your driveway.

 

MAINTENANCE & CARE

How long will my new asphalt driveway last?

~  How long the driveway will last depends on a few factors.  Typically, with proper maintenance, an asphalt driveway should last between 15 – 30 years.  Factors like sun and weather, usage and wear all take a toll on the life of your driveway.  Although asphalt is strong and durable, it is also somewhat yielding.  It will move and flex slightly with seasonal freezing and thawing, and it can sometimes scar from heavy weight or sharp objects. Over time, asphalt can become dry and brittle from the elements, therefore, the older it is, the more vulnerable it will become to cracking.  With a little bit of maintenance, such as sealing and repairing damage early, you’ll be assured to get the most out your driveway.

 

How long will my new oil & stone driveway last?

~ An oil & stone driveway could last as long as 10 – 12 years before needing to be replaced.   As with an asphalt driveway, things like weather and usage play a big part.  Proper maintenance is important.  Gravel is easily washed down slopes in heavy rains, and often carried away in vehicle tires.  It is easy for weeds and potholes to quickly become a headache.

 

How long should I keep vehicles off my new asphalt driveway?

~  Technically, you can drive on the newly installed asphalt almost right away.  Once it is cooled and hardened it is ready for traffic.  However, we suggest for aesthetic reasons that you try to keep off of it for 2-3 days. Driving and parking on the driveway surface right away could cause tire marks and other impressions you may find unsightly later on.  Allowing the surface enough time to cool and harden will prevent most scaring from occurring.

 

How long should I keep vehicles off my new oil & stone driveway?

~ Again, you could drive on the surface right away if you must, however, we do suggest waiting about 1-2 days before doing so.  It is always best to wait till the oil & stone has had a chance to cool and settle before driving on it.  After the initial waiting period, driving over the oil & stone actually helps to compact it further.

 

What type of maintenance is required or suggested for my new asphalt driveway?

~  Your asphalt driveway should be relatively easy to maintain.  The first part of this is simply keeping the driveway clean and free of things like oil drips, which can cause damage to the surface.  Broken or damaged areas should be checked regularly to see if they should be repaired.  Weeds and vegetation should be kept in check to prevent further cracking or heaving. The second part, is keeping the driveway sealed and protected.  Seal-coating the driveway helps maintain elasticity and prolong the drying process that causes asphalt to crack.  It also helps protect the asphalt from chemical and oil spills.   For best results, we suggest sealing the driveway about one year after it has been installed and then approximately every 2 – 4 years after that.  It is important not to seal-coat to often, as this will result in a build up of sealer, which may split and peel.

 

What type of maintenance is required or suggested for my new oil & stone driveway?

~  Oil & Stone surfaces will require a bit more maintenance than an asphalt surface.  Because the stone will shift over time, regular maintenance items such as re-raking and top-dressing will be required periodically.  Bare spots will normally appear around areas where cars turnaround, pull out or go around curves.  Raking the existing stone or adding additional stone when required will help keep the driveway looking good and prevent the oil base from wearing away.  Weeds and vegetation can also easily spread throughout the oil & stone surface, so regular weed control should be kept up.  Hand weeding or over the counter weed killer can be applied to help control this. *Weeds can be very aggressive and will actually grow through the oil & stone surface.  The application of oil & stone will not prevent weeds.

 

What do I need to know about salting or plowing the driveway in winter?

~  Both Asphalt and Oil & Stone driveways can be salted or plowed in the winter.  It is particularly important however to keep the plow blade raised slightly when plowing an oil & stone driveway.  Stone will easily be picked up with the snow, leaving unsightly bare spots if not done properly.  It is sometimes necessary to touch-up the surface in the spring, usually simply by re-raking the stone.  Salting will not cause any damage to either surface.