Your driveway takes a beating under the Anaheim sun, and when it finally gives out, you need a fix that lasts. But too many homeowners rush into an Asphalt Paving project without doing their homework, and that is where mistakes happen. Valley Asphalt Company has been running Asphalt Paving operations around Anaheim, CA for years, and our team sees the same costly slip-ups over and over again. These mistakes can cause major problems for properties in Anaheim, CA, so homeowners need to know what goes wrong and how to avoid getting burned.
Going Solely by the Lowest Bid
Everyone loves a bargain, but cheap asphalt is usually cheap for a reason. If a contractor rolls up to your house in Anaheim Hills with an unsolicited offer because they just finished a job down the street and have extra material, shut the door. Legitimate Asphalt Paving requires proper equipment, permits, and a crew that knows local conditions. When a quote is fifty percent lower than everyone else is, you are going to get thin asphalt, zero base prep, and a driveway that starts crumbling by the time the next Santa Ana winds blow through the Anaheim, CA area.
Ignoring the Sub-Base
Asphalt Paving is only as good as what sits underneath it. Southern California soil can shift, and if a contractor skips grading or fails to compact the sub-base properly, your brand-new driveway is going to crack and sink. Make sure whoever you hire actually talks about the foundation layer, not just the blacktop they are pouring on top. If they do not mention compaction, do not hire them.
- Always ask what materials they use for the base
- Look for deep compaction equipment on site
- Do not let anyone pave over failing dirt without stabilizing it first
Skipping the Permits and HOA Rules
Anaheim has specific municipal codes for property improvements, and if you live in a master-planned community like parts of the Platinum Triangle or Anaheim Hills, your HOA has opinions too. Getting fined or forced to rip up a freshly paved driveway because you skipped the paperwork is a major problem. Valley Asphalt Company will help you figure out what is required before a single shovel hits the dirt for your Asphalt Paving project in Anaheim, CA.
Forgetting About Drainage
Water has to go somewhere, even in our drier climate. If your driveway slopes toward your garage or pools in the middle after a rare winter downpour, you are looking at premature base failure. Good Asphalt Paving contractors check the grade carefully to make sure water drains away from your foundation.
Failing to Plan for Maintenance
Asphalt Paving is not a set-it-and-forget-it project. The UV index here is brutal on petroleum-based products. If you do not plan on sealcoating your driveway a few months after installation and every few years after that, you are cutting its lifespan in half. Taking care of small cracks early keeps them from turning into full-blown potholes.
Valley Asphalt Company provides Asphalt Paving services for homes and businesses in Anaheim, CA.