Fresh asphalt - what to expect?

[y_p_w]

I own a townhouse and we just got part of our common area driveway paved. This section needed to be repaved badly, as it was what the garbage trucks used, and there were severe depressions and cracking as a result. The rest of the driveway had some mild cracking at the worst, and the contractor is going to use a sealant on the entire driveway. I ended up coordinating most of the paperwork and scheduling so I end up trying to answer most of the questions.

So the first step (paving) has just been finished. We had a few issues, including wet spots in the underlying soil that we were told had to be stabilized (with quicklime) or they'd have to wait days for it to dry plus maybe buying some filler. I understand that paving on top of wet areas will likely result in the asphalt just sinking into the soft soil. In the end we approved that even though it cost a few thousand more for the lime and a charge for an additional day of work/equipment.

I got to see the work as they finished it. I was kind of surprised, as it was a large group with a lot of specializing, including a Bobcat loader, a truck driver with the asphalt, one guy operating the compactor, a steamroller, and several using rakes to evenly spread the asphalt. They even had a leaf blower.

So now one of the owners thinks it might be uneven based on how it feels driving on it. I do understand that fresh asphalt can be oily and possibly slippery, and that the grip might be funky/uneven until the layer of oil evaporates/oxidizes. I've been told they don't want to seal it for at least a month to let the oil dissapate. Is this normal?

I looked at it myself, and I didn't see anything unusual for an asphalt repair. I've seen asphalt repairs in front of my house, and it always feels kind of strange for at least a week if not longer. However, I'm not sure if there's something different with the material used for our driveway.

 

[Olas]

You have to expect it to feel unusual for a little while, the texture of the floor has changed so the sensation of driving on it will be different.

Put a spirit level on the floor and take a photo to show to the other person.

 

[linkbelt]

If your contractor placed the asphalt using a Asphalt Spreader, then the surface should be smooth. If the asphalt was placed by hand raking, then, your service will not be as smooth as you would like. For small jobs, contractors have a small Spreader that fits on the back of a dump truck. If your new surface does not ride well now, it will get worse as time goes by. You were correct in placing new base in the wet areas. Just letting wet spots "dry out" and paving over it will not work in the long run.
Sealing your new asphalt is a waste of money! Seal the old surface, if you like.
I spent 30 years on highway construction, (as project engineer) with a State DOT.

 

[ragtoplvr]

Base preparation is the most important thing. I doubt if one day was sufficient. Asphalt placed with hand rake is inferior is smoothness to asphalt placed with machine. Both are inferior to properly placed concrete. BTW properly mixed, placed and cured concrete is rare and expensive.

Rod

 

[hattaresguy]

If he used a box it should be smooth.

Paving is only as good as the base underneath it, if you have questionable ground you need a good base.

 

[y_p_w]

Originally Posted By: ragtoplvr
Base preparation is the most important thing. I doubt if one day was sufficient. Asphalt placed with hand rake is inferior is smoothness to asphalt placed with machine. Both are inferior to properly placed concrete. BTW properly mixed, placed and cured concrete is rare and expensive.

Rod

The estimate says 1440 square feet of asphalt removal and application. I get that perhaps an extra day would have been helpful, but the rest of the owners would have balked at the price. Not sure why they didn't use a spreader. However, it was a rather small job.

 

[linkbelt]

Do you mean 1440 sq. ft. or 1440 square yards of asphalt? 1440 sq. ft. is a VERY small area.

 

[y_p_w]

Originally Posted By: linkbelt
Do you mean 1440 sq. ft. or 1440 square yards of asphalt? 1440 sq. ft. is a VERY small area.

Square feet. It's a pretty small driveway. The repaired section is maybe 17x80 ft. The driveway also branches out past this, but the remainder is in decent condition and only needs minor crack repair and a sealant.