Was This $20k Blacktop Driveway Worth It?!?

Thanks to Royal Asphalt Paving, we got a new driveway in 8 hours, condensed down to 10 minutes. But was it worth it? Was it quality? And will it last the next 20 years?

Watch to see the entire process explained at a high level in 10 minutes!

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[juliejones]

I've been doin asphalt for 30 years they did really good job. I'm glad you did not tearout the old asphalt alot ppl think you always gotta tearout but old asphalt is best base as long as it's not completely flat

[markroberts]

Hate to give u the bad news buddy I’m a retired paying contractor and the asphalt is only as strong as the sub base it’s laid over . And the 2 inch existing AC there over laying is junk it will look ok for awhile but it’s not going to last the test of time . Water always seeks the path of least resistance and all that alergating is that path at the minimum a stabilization fabric should have been used to create a moisture barrier and help keep water from perking up and comprising it integratey of the mat there putting down . I worked 15 yrs for one of the biggest paving and grading company’s in Northern California doing 100 s of city street over lays freeway and road construction then another 12 years doing my own thing so here’s a little advice if there are a lot rock pockets that start to form u can apply sheet asphalt which is nothing but the fines to seal the top and help keep the water from penitratrating the mat. Asphalt can be drivin on the same day once it’s cooled down after a couple of hours it’s as strong as it’s going to be . I understand from the size of ur project the price was a big force driving ur decision and luckily the driveway won’t be under continuous use bat as the weather washes the oils binding the A C together don’t wait to long to seal coat it .Good Luck

[shawnh]

i would recommend a sealcoat within the next year.

[antoniocampbell]

I got to do mine from scratch. Tired of the rain mud in Central Florida. These videos will help me understand the process and pre planning. I want a 24 foot wide and 80 feet long asphalt job in front of my garage.

[aguyghow]

Beautiful look, the main problem we have in the north with the driveways is the 14 ton snowplows that pass through and crush everything

[roadrash]

I hope the ground under the old asphalt is stable enough to hold up to the traffic that is going to be on it. The asphalt was laid on a rough top all though the whole driveway is alligator cracked it should hold in place. I think i would have added tack oil to the old asphalt. I would not recommend paving over old cracked asphalt it should have been removed and roll test with a loaded truck to see if there is any soft spots that need attention. That being said that is a lot more money to do that, probably double the cost, I think if you get 15 years out of it the way it was paved, the money you saved by doing it this way will get you a new driveway again in 15 years at the same cost and increased the life of his driveway to 30 plus years. It has terrible looking seams watch for rock pop. try sealing it once a year and getting a sealer with fine sand in it will help get rid of the look and help hold the rocks in place, rock pop is going to happen in time so try and getting them sealed in place may prevent this. It will be 3 or 4 coats to do this but in as many years, for instance a coat a year till you think it is sealed. Good Luck

[MrNicoecabrio]

Wow Frank, 90 tons is a lot! This is a big investment. Thanks for sharing. Dutch regards, Nico.

[andywhite]

Very satisfying I have recently completed work on my home totally feel your excitement and pleasure gained from the end result

[deandefrancesch]

Glad to see the homestead getting some love!! It can’t always be cars getting upgraded. Now we can look forward to sick LT1 burnouts!!!

[Dusboy]

Third generation paver. They should have pulled an inch over any cracked areas and rolled that. Then layed two inches compacted over the whole driveway. Edges aren’t strait and seams are rough. Another thing is why would they dump asphalt on the ground and use a skid steer to fill the paver? Pavers are made for trucks to dump into them. Just my opinion.

[rccalhoun]

we used to use petromat fabric layer placed on the alligatored areas before paving

[brenyz]

Good vid it is a roller we don’t call it a steam roller any more that was when they ran on steam .

[kwacz]

had my driveway top coated at 6 years later it looks worse than before it was top coated. I got burned!!

[adamsnyder]

Terrible seems. They rolled down the edges before tying in again that’s why you have seen lines everywhere. Also their paver screed needs replaced; leaving horrible shadows in the
mat

[AnarchyEnsues]

I do asphalt. You will never get what is claimed. Asphalt is expensive. They quote you 50mm you will get 45.. you can trust, but verify. Best way is to work out spreadrate and make sure that amount of material went down.

Would of looked better if they had a multi tyre roller on it. But some of the scares should go away with use.

You can drive on it straight away, it would of helped get some marks out of it if you drive on it while it's still warm, after an hour when laid that thick. I wouldn't trust an asphalt contractor that recommended not to drive on new asphalt, I would question their product and thickness. Probably trying to lày a think coat and wants to be a long way away with your money when you car cracks up the driveway

[johnsonbar]

have a contractor that has a paver that lays down the asphalt, and while the paver is sitting in my driveway waiting for the rain to stop, I notice a layer of oil in the bed of the paver where the asphalt is going to be. Is this going to create a problem for the asphalt to asphalt to adhere to itself and maintian a quality layer?

[jameskotsch]

You never gave us any idea of the cost-but it does look good-I am thinking of redoing mine

[sealthedeal]

Failure will happen in a year or two.
No tack coat
Asphalt failures happen 99% because of poor or failing base material.
That paver is not laying a good mat.needs maintenance.

[MrLoudog]

I would love a quick update video after all these years. Looks like they did a good job to me. there’s always something more that can be done no matter what you’re doing. Nevermind the nay sayers.

[dubez]

that driveway is a bit much for that company . a driveway that size needs to be done with a more adequate paver and roller package . all the pick up and set over show really bad . with a better machine like a leeboy 8520 or larger they could've done the main stretch out in 1 pass with the exception of the 17' area, that would've got rid of all those horrible middle seams and start joints . also rolling it first with the 1 ton in this situation makes no sense . I would've put our HD13 with oscillation on it first then back rolled with the 1 ton, would've blended in much better. let's not look past the fact that they never put a tack coat down .