Should we be concerned about the loose black stones in our newly paved driveway and what steps should we take to ensure its durability?
Asked by هلیا یاسمی 
2 months ago
Last Updated: October 29, 2024
So, we had these guys come by offering to pave our driveway with some extra asphalt they had. It sounded like a good deal, so we went for it. It’s been a few days since they finished, and we haven’t driven on it yet. BUT I’ve noticed that in some spots, the small black stones aren’t packed down well and can easily come loose, making holes. What should we do about this? Do you think we need to add something on top to fix it? Thanks for your help!
On a hot day, you can try pouring a bit of diesel on the tar to soften it up, but make sure you have a way to roll it out. An easy fix is using a water-filled drum with smooth sides. The challenge right now is that the weather is getting cooler, so you might not see much progress without the help of the sun. It might be best to wait until next year.
Thank you so much!!
I appreciate your input! The blacktop was recently paved. Do you know how many days we should wait before driving our cars on the driveway?
Just to clarify, if it has cooled down to the ambient temperature without any detectable heat in the mornings. It may feel softer than expected as long as it’s warm. Keep in mind that asphalt retains heat longer than you might think.
How can we prevent these small stones from crumbling or fix them?
Simply drive over it and compact the asphalt.
Seriously? I was advised to avoid driving on it for a couple of days.
Maybe they mentioned that to prevent any damage when you drove over it.
Just tear it out. It’s unfortunate that you were scammed.
I’m kicking myself for this… but I’m optimistic there’s a solution to salvage it without resorting to that extreme measure.
No need to stress. TJ is even more foolish for suggesting you tear it all down.
It just doesn’t seem worth it to invest the time and resources to fix it, but hey, do what feels right to you.
It’s more cost-effective and faster to repair a small section than to completely replace it. Kind of like patching up a pothole in a road instead of tearing up the whole thing.
If the government put in a road like that, they’d probably tear it out because it wouldn’t hold up. OP lives in NY, so winter would definitely do a number on it. I wouldn’t want my new driveway looking all patched up, that’s for sure!
It’s been a rip-off for years. People might not think it’s a rip-off if they actually got a decent price on it.
You got caught by a classic trick unfortunately. The drive will showcase its problems during the Winter. You will need to get rid of it, and install a new drive.
Oh my goodness! Do you have to do anything else once they finish laying the asphalt and the rolling machines go over it? They were out there working for hours… it looks good overall… but I can see some areas where it doesn’t seem to be compacted properly, so I assumed that was the only problem… those spots
Looking back, it’s really silly that we didn’t do any research beforehand.
I’m not really sure what the best next steps would be, since I’m not an expert on this. But from what I’ve seen, most people in your situation end up having to redo the work. Sometimes the problem is just that the application is too thin and not properly edged, but more often than not, the issue lies with the quality of the materials. It could be poor quality asphalt, a weak mix with too much tar or a mix of tar and oil, and not enough stone. Some of it wasn’t even heated properly! These scammers are out there all the time, some of them even buy vehicles from auctions and have them branded with the names of reputable companies. (jerks)
I can’t believe they have no shame or morals. I feel sorry that happened to her.
Let’s try to avoid making stereotypical comments about “gypsies.”
Could you please leave?
‘t worry, it’s not the end of the world. Just head over to Home Depot, grab a bag of asphalt, and if you have a torch, even better. Apply a small amount, then tamp it down. You’ll be good to go.
Those appear to be millings.
Can you explain what that means?
When roads are repaved, they remove a layer of asphalt called millings. A big piece of equipment peels it off and dumps it into a truck. The truck takes it to a plant where the millings are cleaned and heated. Then they are spread and steamrolled. If not reused, sometimes they are sold off. I’ve personally used them on my country driveway.
Check out this example. By the way, the high temperature when they are laid on a highway is what makes them smooth. I’ve heard about the diesel fuel trick.
Thank you for the detailed explanation.
Hey , got it! Thanks for the info.
Oh man, that scam has been around for ages. At least now you know better and won’t get caught up in it again!
Hey, guess what? We just relocated from an apartment… we feel pretty dumb … looking back, we should’ve known better… 🥲
You’re not dumb, the blame lies with the scammers, not the unsuspecting victims.
Don’t worry! There are definitely worse things that could happen in the world
My folks got caught up in this scheme a while back. Despite having to constantly spray weed killer due to its porous nature, it has held up quite well. Keep it, start driving on it, and compact it down!
Oh, thank you ! But why use weed killer?
The crabgrass really takes over ‘s lawn.
Thanks a lot!
Yeah, since it’s not as compacted as a finished layer would be, there may be openings for weeds to grow through. Make sure to keep up with killing them if they start growing.
Usually, there is a Surface Preparation that occurs before laying down asphalt. Weed killer is typically sprayed on the surface because asphalt is porous, especially when not applied correctly, allowing anything underneath to grow up through and cause cracks. This is my previous driveway that we recently replaced.
I appreciate the heads up! I had no clue this could happen!
Reach out to two or three reputable asphalt companies in your local area and have them come assess the situation and provide a quote. If they are good companies, they will likely inform you of any smaller DIY solutions available.
I understand that this is a DIY group, but you are seeking advice on correcting a major mistake in a project that many DIYers may not have experience with. Not everyone here may have the expertise to assist you, so it’s best to consult with professionals. This is not meant to be discouraging, but rather a reality check on the complexity of the issue. For instance, I know nothing about car repairs, so I wouldn’t be able to tell if someone is giving me accurate advice or not. However, having painted multiple houses, I can differentiate between valid suggestions and nonsense.
It’s better to avoid further complications and rely on the expertise of professionals.
I appreciate the input. There are some great suggestions, but I might need some assistance to implement them correctly. Thank you.
The same thing happened to my neighbor and it was a disaster. And when they finished, they demanded a huge sum of money. She told them to leave. She had to remove it all manually and she was 80 years old.
I think it should’ve been rolled over with the roller. Maybe there was a low spot that the roller missed.
You could consider using large plywood sheets that you can lay down, then drive over to compact the asphalt further
The other areas seem to be missing something. I suggest contacting asphalt companies and getting repair quotes.
It’s a primer or base that requires a top coat to be applied.
Hey Brandon! Quick question – do you know what type of top coat we should use and when we should apply it? I’m in NY and it’s starting to get cold. Should we hold off on doing it, or should we do it soon? Thanks!
It’s tough to see clearly in the picture, but it seems like there’s a stabilized base underneath. This layer goes under the final road surface and is more cost-effective with larger aggregate.
Check out this other picture… whoa. I had no idea there were different layers 🥲
Yeah that’s the base or primer. No final layer. We recently had some installed at my workplace. The cost per square foot was $3.50 for the primer and top coat.
Yeah, it’s definitely a good deal … they might have some extra to get rid of, but don’t expect perfection. The same thing happened to me, and we ended up hiring them again a couple of years later (I think that’s what they’re aiming for 😆) for a top coat. But overall, it was still a good deal.
Hey , I’m curious about what they applied first and the type of top coat you used later. Thanks!
Hey , when it comes to asphalt, you only need a base and a top coat. I’m not sure what you mean by the type of top coat. You should apply an asphalt top coat, then roll and compact it with a roller.
Hey , thank you!
It’s okay, don’t worry. Many people are not aware of this. I studied Civil Engineering in my Master’s, so I have a good understanding of this topic. It’s important to be able to rely on “professionals” when dealing with things we are not familiar with. Unfortunately, you discovered that not everyone is honest. Typically, residential driveways don’t require both a base and a top layer; that’s more common in road and commercial projects. “Ashphalt” involves more than just laying down asphalt; it’s a complex process.
Ashphalt consists of two main components: the binder and the aggregate. The aggregate, which is the rock part, plays a crucial role in the structure of ashphalt. There is a significant amount of scientific research involved in the aggregate, including its shape, size, chemical composition, surface texture, and more. In essence, there are different types of ashphalt mixtures used in road construction, such as base course, stabilized base, or binder mix, depending on the region. The cost varies depending on the tolerances of the aggregate. The topping coat, or surface mix, contains a specific amount of sand, small and large pieces that adhere well to the binder, provide strength, and form a stable matrix. This material is more expensive and ideal for driveways. Additionally, there are hot mix, warm mix, and cold patch ashphalt options. Hot mix is considered superior but requires being placed at a high temperature, straight from the batch plant. If it cools down, the quality of the placement is affected. Skill in placement is crucial for a good outcome. Superpave involves strict controls on the binder, aggregate, and placement. Ultimately, the key is to have the right mix for the intended purpose.
If you have a weed torch, heat it up for 15-20 seconds and use your feet to press down and help it adhere. Make sure to seal it within 60 days.
Not a complete scam, think of it as getting what you paid for. Leftovers or extras tend to end up that way.
Hey there, seems like 99% scam
Oh, 80 percent? That’s quite a lot!
The asphalt that was used on your driveway is not the best quality. It’s likely a base coat, which is cheaper, but scammers often use the cheapest materials available from asphalt plants. They go door to door selling it and by the time it reaches your driveway, it’s already starting to cool down and become ineffective. Proper preparation of the surface is crucial for a driveway to be durable and properly sloped for drainage. Reputable paving contractors will provide detailed quotes with a breakdown of the work they are doing. If someone shows up at your door with leftover materials and no business name or contact information, chances are you’ve been scammed. Consider saving up to hire a reputable paving contractor in a couple of years to fix the issues caused by this scam.
Heat the area with a torch then compact it with a chunk of wood or metal using a hammer.
You can’t seal new asphalt for 6 months
Hey , I appreciate the heads up. Looks like we won’t be able to seal due to the current weather conditions.
Hey, did you see ‘s note? It mentions not to use the sealer on new asphalt, especially considering the weather.
Give it a little time to settle in.
After a few months, we found ourselves in the same situation 🤦🏽♀️, and it all just fizzled out at the end of the day.
Could you share some photos? I’m confused about what you mean by completely washed out at the end of the driveway. Was there a slope?
That’s just a scam.
This incident happened at my previous job. A person approached the company and hired those workers to complete a job for them. Unfortunately, the workers stole the materials and insisted that the job be removed.
You should pick up some liquid top coat, although I can’t recall the exact name. It’s available at both Lowe’s and Home Depot. It may require several coats to fill in completely, but it’ll do the job eventually.
Those folks keep showing up in our neighborhood, but we were forewarned that it’s a scam. Apparently, they claim to have leftover asphalt from a nearby project that they’re trying to sell cheap. The asphalt they have is low quality and they’re hoping to find someone gullible enough to buy it. I’m sorry you were a victim of this. Hopefully, you’ll receive some helpful advice here.
Hey, thanks a lot. We just moved too. It totally caught us off guard. We were in a hurry and didn’t really plan it out. Definitely learned our lesson
Those individuals are known as ‘travelers’. They have come to my house multiple times with the same excuse. I spotted them yesterday.
The pavers from Gipsy seem to have been laid when the temperature wasn’t high enough and the mix used was of low quality.
Do you have any ideas on fixing it without starting from scratch?