When it comes to getting a new driveway, how can an average homeowner make sure that the paving contractor does a good job? Here are a few suggestions.

• Deal only with reputable contractors. If someone knocks at your door offering a special price because they happen to have some asphalt left over from a job down the street, shut the door as quickly as possible.
• Get at least three quotes and make sure that everyone is quoting on the same quantities and the same specifications. Take special care to make sure that the asphalt thickness quoted is compacted thickness. And remember that the lowest price is not always the best price.
• Get references before you pick the winning bid.
• Check the contract for extras. Who is responsible for moving fences, lights or overhead wires? What about damage to grass, plants, bushes or trees?
• Check with utility companies to find out if there are any buried utilities before you start.
• Check your property boundary before you begin. If you don’t you may end up paving your neighbor’s lot.

You should get up to 3 quotes from reputable companies and make sure you are getting the same specifications from each company.

To properly research companies we find the BBB website is a great tool to make sure the companies you are getting quotes from are reputable. You should also ask for references of past paving jobs completed.

Also check registry of Joint Stocks for how long company has actually been in business.

We recommend a skid steer for excavation, a minimum 3 ton roller for proper compaction, an asphalt spreader to ensure consistent thickness of asphalt in your driveway and a tandem dump truck to ensure proper amount of asphalt is brought to site.

Once your estimate is completed with diagram and proper measurements it should then be passed on to the owner who then schedules and oversees the project until completion.

Having WCB coverage is important in case of accidents. Upon request, ASCON Paving can provide our customers with proof of insurance and WCB coverage. All reputable companies should be able to provide you with this paperwork.

Upon confirmation to proceed, our crew prepares the base of your driveway. We prefer you be there so we can address any other potential changes.

Yes, your driveway is the first thing visitors see when they come to your home. A properly paved driveway that has a clean and neat appearance is a definite asset.

Most driveways of new construction projects are prepared with sub-base, making it a stable base for preparation so there is no need to wait.

High curb appeal, increases value of home, longer life expectancy, variety of colors.

Exposed aggregate, white broom finished concrete, colored broom finished concrete.

On a typical concrete driveway the thickness would be 4-5 inches. On a garage slab the concrete would be 10-12 inches thick on the outside perimeter and 4 inches in the middle.

Typically on most jobs we would use a 4000-5000 PSI (pounds per square inch) concrete strength.

We use wire mesh on driveways and on slabs we use wire mesh and rebar.

On a typical driveway we would use 8-10 inches of clear stone gravel.

We do offer combinations of asphalt and concrete such as asphalt driveways with concrete borders or walkways giving the great look of concrete without the cost of doing the whole driveway in concrete.

Maintenance free, cost effective, snow and ice melt off quickly, able to use salt without damaging driveway, can be ploughed, increases value of home.

Depending on the weather the average driveway takes 2 days. One day for prep and one day for laying of asphalt.

The type of paving required is determined by the condition of the existing surface and foundation of the pavement area. If there are visible cracks, depressions, heaving and or foundation issues with the pavement area, then it is strongly recommended that you replace the entire area. Resurfacing your existing pavement is determined by the condition of the sub-base, if it is in fair condition and there are no visible cracks or depressions then resurfacing is all that is usually required.

Sealer will help repel harmful elements, maintain the integrity of the asphalt and prolong the life of your driveway. Sealer should only be applied to driveways older than one year.

Asphalt paving requires very little maintenance in comparison to a gravel driveway.

You can walk on immediately but we recommend you wait 2-5 days before driving or parking on the driveway. It is recommended to avoid any sharp objects such as ladders, chairs, high heels, bikes etc to not place directly on the asphalt surface for the first few weeks especially during the hot weather conditions. Keep in mind that you should not park your vehicle in the same spot within the first month to avoid tire depressions on the new pavement. Also, use particular caution not to turn your wheels in a stationary position to avoid tire marks from occurring.

Our warranty covers a two year time period (any problems that occur with driveways generally happen in the first year after winter thaw).

The warranty covers against heaves due to rocks protruding through asphalt, any dips causing puddling in excess of 1/8 of an inch. Any cracks due to separation of asphalt excluding the driveway edges due to cars, oil trucks driving over edges. Covers weeds growing through asphalt excluding the driveway edges whereas the grass meets the asphalt. Warranty does not cover pitted asphalt resulting from owners turning tires on asphalt at a stand still. (way to avoid this is to make sure car is rolling before turning tires especially on hot days).

During our winter season with the climate in Nova Scotia going from hot to cold on a regular basis you will see a shift in the driveway which is cause by frost. As Summer approaches these imperfections should correct themselves.

New asphalt will soften and harden as temperatures rise and fall. Since the asphalt needs time to harden, you may want to be cautious and keep automobile traffic to a minimum for a couple of days and perhaps longer in hotter temperatures.

• Avoid using jack stands or car ramps unless a piece of plywood is placed under them to help distribute the weight.
  
• Excessive weight from large heavy vehicles can depress your new asphalt. Keep heavy trucks off your new asphalt.
  
• Turning your tires when parked could scar the asphalt.
  
• Do not park in the same spot every time.
  
• Try to protect against gasoline, oil and anti-freeze leaks.