FAQS

Ultraviolet light oxidizes the asphalt binder, which turns the surface gray and makes it more brittle. Rain washes away the loosened fines, exposing lighter stone. Regular sealcoating restores the dark finish and slows the oxidation that leads to raveling and cracks.

Fresh asphalt stays soft for months, so kickstands, trailer jacks, ladders, and portable basketball hoop bases can press dents into it, especially on hot afternoons. Setting a board or plywood square under the load spreads the weight and prevents marks.

The two terms describe essentially the same material, crushed stone bound together with liquid asphalt. Blacktop usually refers to mixes heated to a higher temperature with more stone content, while engineers simply call the finished pavement hot mix asphalt.

Weeds need a crack wide enough to hold soil and seed. Sealing cracks each year, pulling growth by the root, and keeping edges clean of mulch and dirt removes that foothold. Regular sealcoating also closes the fine surface openings seeds use.

Asphalt handles slopes well because it grips tires better than smooth concrete and can be compacted on a grade. Steep driveways need careful drainage at the top and bottom, along with a firm base, so runoff does not undercut the pavement edges.

At Richard Cooper's All Around Asphalt, most residential driveways in King of Prussia, PA, are finished in a single day once the schedule is set. Larger lots, heavy base repairs, or drainage work can add time, and we explain the timeline upfront.

A clear estimate lists the square footage, base depth, asphalt thickness, drainage work, and cleanup. Richard Cooper's All Around Asphalt writes estimates this way for King of Prussia, PA property owners, drawing on 16+ years of explaining options in plain language.

Yes, and it often produces a better result because the slope, pipe, and pavement are planned as one system. Richard Cooper's All Around Asphalt handles all three in King of Prussia, PA, so there is no handoff between separate crews.

It can, as long as the joint is handled correctly. We cut a clean edge, tack the concrete face, and compact asphalt tightly against it so water cannot seep into the seam, freeze, and lift either surface over the winter.

Roughly 95 percent of hot mix asphalt is stone, sand, and gravel by weight, with about 5 percent liquid asphalt binder holding everything together. The mix is heated at the plant, hauled hot, and compacted before it cools and stiffens.

An apron is the section where a driveway meets the street. It takes the hardest turning loads, collects runoff from the road, and sits closest to plow damage, so it often cracks or crumbles before the rest of the driveway shows wear.

Absolutely. Old asphalt is milled or broken up, then reused in new hot mix or spread as millings for driveways and lanes. Reclaimed pavement ranks among the most recycled materials in the country, which keeps tons of it out of landfills.

Sweep or blow off debris regularly and rinse with a garden hose. For oil or gas spots, blot fresh spills with cat litter and scrub with a mild degreaser. Avoid petroleum-based cleaners, since they soften the binder and break the surface down.

Because asphalt is placed hot and shaped by hand at the edges, curves, circular turnarounds, parking pads, and wide entrances are all practical. The key is setting forms or a compacted stone edge that holds the shape as the mix is rolled.

Shaded pavement stays damp longer after rain, which invites moss, algae, and slick spots. It also sees less sun softening, so it may crack differently than sunny sections. Trimming low branches and keeping leaves swept helps shaded areas dry out faster.