Western Paving receives calls from homeowners in Westminster, CA every single week regarding cracked driveways. The coastal humidity rolling in off the 405, combined with the dry inland heat, takes a real toll on pavement. Western Paving wants to look at the actual facts behind the biggest asphalt questions for properties in Westminster.
How long should a new asphalt driveway actually last around here?
A new Asphalt Driveway lasts twenty to thirty years if it is installed right. In Westminster, the native soil shifts quite a bit depending on whether the property is closer to Bolsa Chica or down near Civic Center Park. If the sub-base is not compacted properly to handle that ground movement, property owners will see alligator cracking in five years. Quality materials and proper grading make all the difference for Asphalt Paving in Westminster, CA.
Can you just pave right over my old cracked driveway?
Western Paving can sometimes pave right over an old cracked driveway, but definitely not always. If the base is solid and there is only minor surface cracking, an overlay works great and saves the homeowner some cash. However, if water has been getting underneath and washing out the foundation, slapping new asphalt on top is just hiding a ticking time bomb. Western Paving always tells homeowners to look at the edges. If the base is failing, Western Paving has to tear out the old material and start fresh with new Asphalt Installation.
What causes those annoying little potholes to pop up?
Water is the enemy of Asphalt Pavements in Westminster. Water sneaks into tiny hairline cracks, expands when things cool down at night, and breaks the aggregate apart. Heavy delivery trucks parking on residential aprons do not help either. Once a small divot forms, tires pop out chunks of asphalt until you are left with a full-blown pothole that requires Asphalt Repair.
How soon can I actually drive on my new pavement?
Homeowners should give a new Asphalt Driveway at least three to five days before parking a heavy vehicle on it. Foot traffic is fine after twenty-four hours, but that fresh mix needs time to cure completely. Westminster gets hot in the summer, and high heat keeps asphalt soft longer. If you park a heavy SUV on fresh summer asphalt too soon, you will leave deep tire depressions that never quite level out.
Do I really need to sealcoat every few years?
Property owners need to sealcoat every few years if they want to stretch their investment. Sealcoating acts like sunscreen for your pavement. It blocks out UV rays that dry out the liquid binder, keeping the asphalt flexible instead of brittle. Skipping Sealcoating means your Asphalt Driveway ages twice as fast under the Southern California sun.
What's the best way to handle oil stains?
Do not just ignore oil stains, because petroleum breaks down asphalt binders. Scrub small spills with a dedicated degreaser and rinse thoroughly. If a spot has been soaking for years, the asphalt might already be spongy, and Asphalt Patching for that specific section is your only real fix.