Answers to Common Construction Project Questions

How is my driveway installed?

A Gonyo Construction rep will come to your house or business to personally go over your project with you. We will assess the best way to accomplish your goal. Most customers want a re-pave. If the area is in particularly bad shape, it may need to be ripped up (See Question 12 for more info).

In the case of a re-pave we clean the driveway and edges. We true and level dips, birdbaths and ruts. This is a thin layer of asphalt used to even out dips and ruts. We also apply a bonding agent to these areas as well as to cracks to prevent them from resurfacing in the final top layer. Now we get down to business! We apply the top layer of asphalt no less than 1.5 inches of material. We roll the final product with a one-and-a-half ton roller and hand tamp the edges for a perfect finish.

How much asphalt needs to be put down?

For a driveway re-pave we advise a layer atleast 1.5 inches thick. For a base layer (also called binder) we advise a layer atleast 2 inches thick. Thickness can very depending on what the surface will be used for. Many parking lots have several inches of binder and a couple inches of top coat asphalt on top of that.

Are there different types of asphalt? Which is for me?

Yes, there are different types of asphalt. Top coat is made with smaller stones and more asphalt material for a finer, smoother finish. Binder is made with larger stones and a more course asphalt material for a more durable property. Binder is installed where no asphalt exists. Top coat is installed over existing asphalt.

How long until I can park on it?

We advise you wait two to three full days to allow the asphalt to fully cool and bond.

How long has Gonyo Construction been paving?

Gonyo Construction has been paving ashpalt for 25 years.

How do you fix potholes, birdbaths or ruts?

Potholes are generally filled with asphalt and sealed around the edge. Birdbaths and Ruts are true and leveled with a shim coat of asphalt. We apply a bonding agent and then lay a thin layer of asphalt on top of that to bring this low area up to level.

We want our driveway widened. Can we do that?

Of coarse! Many of our customers want this done. We simply excavate the side of the driveway the width you'd like to add. We then create a sturdy base with a thick layer of stone. We tamp the stone, which compacts it and makes it sturdy. We then put a layer of binder (see question 3 for "binder"). Then we pave the entire driveway with a top coat.

What is Textured Asphalt?

Textured Asphalt (also known as Street Print) is imprinted asphalt, which is covered with a skid resistant epoxy. It is cost efficient and very low maintence. Unlike bricks, weeds won't grow through it. You can learn more about this type of asphalt finish HERE.

We want a normal black driveway with textured pavement on the border. Can we do that?

Certainly! The great thing about Textured Asphalt is it's versatility. We can apply it to the entire driveway or use it to add accents. It's completely up to you.

What is sealing? When and why should we do it?

Sealcoating is a protective sealant made of water-based emulsions or coal-tar based polymers. These sealants protect the asphalt from harmful UV sun rays and stop water and ice from getting in and breaking down the asphalt. We advise sealing your driveway about every three years.

Is it time to rip up the old driveway or can we repave over it?

This one is hard to answer over the internet. It really takes one of our representatives a first person view of the situation to judge. If the base of the area is very weak then chances are it is time to replace the base. Signs of a weak base include soft or "pumpy" areas. This is where water has settled underneath the base and most times you can actually see the asphalt move when it is driven on.

If the area is very old (15-20 years or more) it may need to be replaced. Many contractors will pave over anything if you tell them that's what you want. We strongly advise against that because if the base is weak, that new driveway may only last a year or two.

How long will my new driveway last? Do you offer a guarantee?

Driveways with sturdy bases can last 10-15 years or even longer. The owners maintence for the driveway also helps prolong it's life. Sealcoating is a great way to extend the life of a new driveway. The industry standard guarantee is one year.

We get water running into our garage. What's the solution?

The best fix for this problem is to install a driveway drain just before the entrance of the garage. It looks like a 4"x39" covered drain. Multiple drains can be installed if needed. The water catches in it and then runs to a designated area through an underground pipe.

In certain instances, when only a small amount of water is leaking in, we can shape the asphalt so that it naturally runs away from the entrance and off to the side.

What is asphalt? How is it made?

Asphalt is a combination of mineral aggregates, asphalt material, mineral filler and other additives if needed. Asphalt is made at a plant using huge, fire heated drums. The mineral aggregates are heated and then the rest of the materials are added, heated and spun together. The final product is poured into the back of our dumptrucks. It arrives at the job site at over 350 degrees.