Most new asphalt driveways can be driven on within 48 to 72 hours, depending on weather and temperatures. We’ll provide specific recommendations based on your project.

With proper installation and routine maintenance, an asphalt driveway can last 20 years or more. Regular seal coating, crack filling, and timely repairs help maximize its lifespan.

All asphalt will naturally expand and contract with changing temperatures over time. While no pavement is completely crack-proof, proper installation, drainage, and routine maintenance help minimize cracking and extend the life of your driveway.

Not always. Every driveway is different. We evaluate the existing base and recommend only the work necessary. If the base is stable and in good condition, it may only require grading and compaction before paving.

In some situations, asphalt resurfacing may be an option. We’ll evaluate the condition of your existing pavement to determine whether resurfacing or a full replacement is the better long-term solution.

Yes. We can often expand existing driveways to provide additional parking, improve accessibility, or accommodate larger vehicles.

Absolutely not. At Tom’s Paving & Sealing LLC, we believe in honest recommendations. Every driveway and parking lot is evaluated individually, and we’ll explain the condition of your pavement along with the options available. If a repair, resurfacing, or simple maintenance service is the best long-term solution, that’s exactly what we’ll recommend. Our goal is to earn your trust by providing the right solution—not the most expensive one.

Yes. We provide grading and gravel installation for new driveways, private roads, parking areas, and other residential projects.

Asphalt is more cost effective than concrete, also less expensive to repair. It usually does not need to be removed, it can easily be resurfaced. Asphalt is designed to flex with slight settlements.

There have been numerous studies which have shown that asphalt pavements have a lower life cycle cost. Also, asphalt repairs are less expensive. With our pricing, asphalt is generally half the cost of concrete.

A properly installed and maintained driveway is expected to last 25-30 years.

Asphalt thickness is engineered and is generally laid 3″ thick compacted to 2-2.25". On new construction jobs with site plans or VDOT jobs, we must follow the specified and required specs.

An overlay is the resurfacing of existing pavement. Existing asphalt or concrete pavements can be overlaid with hot mix asphalt generally 1 ½” in thickness with excellent results. Before paving, existing pavement should be checked for any repairs needed, cleaned of all loose debris and tacked for successful adhesion.

One of the important facts about Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) is that it is 100% recyclable and can be used over and over again.  It is the #1 recycled material in the USA!

In Virginia, most asphalt mixes specified for use on roadways allow up to 20% of the material to be recycled asphalt product (RAP). Base Mix asphalt material can have over 25% recycled asphalt pavement (RAP). The use of RAP in HMA provides a number of benefits:

• It reduces the amount of virgin material used in the mix, thereby preserving natural resources.
• Since it is 100% recyclable it does not need landfill space for disposal.
• Recycling HMA results in substantial savings to taxpayers (for road work) and other users.
• Asphalt pavement is unique not only in the volume recycled, but also its renewability. It is comprised of approximately 95 percent aggregates (stone, sand and gravel) and about 5 percent asphalt cement. When asphalt pavement is reused in a new asphalt mix, the old asphalt cement is rejuvenated so that it becomes an active part of the glue that holds the new pavement together, just like the old aggregate becomes part of the aggregate content of the new mix. These singular properties make asphalt a uniquely renewable pavement.

See the following links for more information from the VA Asphalt Asscociation: http://www.vaasphalt.org/pavement-recycling/, http://www.vaasphalt.org/rap/, http://www.vaasphalt.org/black-is-green/

BLACK IS GREEN!!  BEING GREEN/RECYCLING ASPHALT

Asphalt manufacturers have created ways to reduce their carbon footprint.  One way is by recycling the asphalt.  This is done by taking old asphalt pavement or shingles to an asphalt plant with the machinery that grinds up the asphalt into loose rocks.  The Recycled Asphalt Product (RAP) can be used as gravel for driveways and/or subgrade.  In the correct ratio RAP is best re-used in new asphalt, which is now used in VDOT approved highways.  Now it is available at only the best asphalt plants.

Asphalt pavement is not only America’s most recycled and reused material; it now is being recycled and reused at a rate over 99 percent. Use of environmentally friendly warm-mix asphalt grew by more than 148 percent from 2009 to 2010, a trend that is expected to continue. Recycling of asphalt pavements and asphalt shingles in 2010 alone conserved 20.5 million barrels of asphalt binder. *

Here at Tom’s Paving, we work with local asphalt plants that offer recycled asphalt with the latest technology.  We at Tom’s Paving are always looking for more ways to better the environment.

*National Asphalt Pavement Association, Recycling, www.asphaltpavement.org

Most driveways are paved by a paving machine. However due to the size of the paving machine certain areas such as in front of garages, walkways or along walls are spread and raked by hand. These areas may have a slightly different texture as a result of hand tools and in part because the asphalt is a mix made up of different size aggregates. This is normal and as the driveway ages, these areas will become less noticeable.

This typically takes about a year. During the first year your new driveway may be come soft or tender on very warm days. This is normal and care should be used on these days. For example don’t turn the steering wheel of a car without the car moving, also be aware that a jack stand, or even a bicycle kickstand could make an impression.

The asphalt should have no traffic (foot or vehicle) for 24 to 48 hours, depending on weather and other conditions. Beware if you have pets walking outside also.

No, it will provide a temporary solution to prevent damage to vehicles or tripping hazards for pedestrians.  The life of the repair depends on how the patch will be prepared, the area of the patch, and the traffic the patch will endure.

The coloring material for a recreational court or an asphalt driveway is an acrylic based product.  It is expensive in cost yet very durable lasting approximately 6-10 years.  There are color choices that can contribute to LEED credits. The variables between applications include weather conditions and the amount of use the surface will endure.

Yes. We provide ADA-compliant parking space layouts, access aisles, directional arrows, fire lanes, and other pavement markings in accordance with applicable requirements.

We offer maintenance services that include crack filling, seal coating, asphalt repairs, and line striping to help extend the life of your parking lot.

Seal coating helps protect asphalt from sunlight, water penetration, oxidation, oil spills, and everyday wear while restoring a rich black finish.

Crack filling seals individual cracks to help prevent water from reaching the base. Seal coating protects the entire surface from weathering and oxidation. Together, they help extend the life of your asphalt.

We’ll inspect your pavement and provide an honest recommendation. In many cases, repairs or resurfacing can restore a driveway. If the foundation has failed or deterioration is extensive, replacement may be the best long-term option.

Yes. During our evaluation, we’ll identify drainage concerns and recommend grading or other improvements to help protect your pavement.

Yes. We offer free, no-obligation estimates for residential and commercial paving projects.

We proudly serve Gloucester and the surrounding communities throughout the Middle Peninsula and nearby areas. Visit our Areas We Serve page or contact us to see if your project is within our service area.