Frequently Asked Questions

HomeGuide lists new asphalt driveways at about $5 to $12 or more per square foot installed, which works out to roughly $10,000 to $24,000 for 2,000 square feet. Angi's range is $7 to $15 per square foot. Removing old pavement or caliche, extra base over soft clay, and apron work add to that. Your written estimate is the price.

For cars, a common build is 2 to 3 inches of compacted asphalt over 6 to 8 inches of compacted gravel base. If you park a work truck, trailer or RV, plan on 3 to 4 inches of asphalt and 8 to 10 inches of base. On clay-heavy Valley soils, base depth matters as much as the asphalt.

Hot weather is fine for laying asphalt, but fresh pavement stays soft longer. HomeGuide recommends waiting 3 to 5 days before parking on new asphalt in hot weather instead of the usual 1 to 2 days. We start early on summer jobs and tell you exactly when the driveway is ready for traffic.

For each area, get the rock base and the finished asphalt depth written down. Ask whether an old caliche drive will be dug out or reworked as base, and how they will slope the pavement on flat Valley ground. If the apron is changing, ask who handles the Right-of-Way Permit with the city. For summer work, ask what time they start and how long you should stay off the new surface. A paving company that answers all of that plainly is giving you something you can hold it to.

Often the existing material can be reworked as part of the base, but only after it is checked. Caliche loses strength when wet, so muddy or rutted sections are dug out and replaced with compacted base before asphalt goes down. We show you what we find before pricing it.

Work in the city's right-of-way, including driveway aprons, curbs and sidewalks, needs a Right-of-Way Permit from the City of Edinburg Engineering Department. A driveway connecting to a state highway goes through TxDOT. Paving that stays on your side of the property line generally does not reach either, and we confirm which applies at the estimate.

Cost guides put asphalt driveway life at 15 to 30 years. In a hot, sunny climate the surface oxidizes faster, so sealing every few years and filling cracks before the rainy season make a real difference in where your driveway lands in that range.

An asphalt paver is the machine that lays hot-mix asphalt in an even layer at a set width and thickness; rollers follow right behind to compact it while it is still hot. On a driveway or parking lot, the quality of the base and the compaction behind the paver decide how well the pavement holds up.

Most residential driveways are paved in one day once the base is ready. Tear-out and base work can add a day or two. In hot weather, plan on 3 to 5 days before parking on it.

Asphalt usually costs less up front and is easier to patch; concrete costs more and lasts longer with little upkeep. Angi lists concrete at $8 to $18 per square foot versus $7 to $15 for asphalt. Asphalt needs sealing every few years in strong sun.

They can. Roots from large shade trees lift asphalt over time. Where roots are close, we discuss cutting them back, adding base depth, or keeping the paved edge farther from the trunk.

Yes. Widening on your property is part of the job. Widening the apron at the street is right-of-way work and may need a City of Edinburg permit, so we check that first.

HomeAdvisor suggests planning on repaving every 15 to 20 years. Sealing every few years, crack filling and fast pothole repair push that further out.

In most cases, yes. We split the lot into phases, keep at least one entrance open and schedule the noisiest work for slow hours.

Under the Justice Department's guidance, restriping a lot triggers the 2010 ADA Standards. A lot with 26 to 50 spaces, for example, needs 2 accessible spaces, one of them van-accessible.

Light traffic can usually return within a day, but in Valley heat the surface stays soft. We keep heavy trucks off new sections a little longer and stripe once the surface is ready.

On a solid base with regular sealing, an overlay can last many years. On a failing base, cracks can show through within a year or two, which is why we check the base first.

Yes, by the thickness of the new layer, typically 1.5 to 2 inches. We mill the edges at the garage, sidewalk and street so the surface ties in without a step.

It is possible, but joints and cracks in the concrete tend to reflect through the asphalt. We look at the slab and explain the trade-offs before recommending it.

Usually, because the base stays in place. HomeGuide notes overlays of a sound surface typically save 20 to 30 percent compared with full replacement.

Usually because the base underneath was never fixed or water keeps reaching it. A patch on wet, soft base fails again. We repair the base and look at the drainage.

Yes, though most contractors have a minimum charge. HomeGuide lists typical repair minimums of $100 to $250, so it often makes sense to fix several spots in one visit.

Once the hot asphalt has cooled and set, usually the same day. In summer heat we recommend keeping heavy trucks off for a little longer.

Yes, if the rest of the surface is faded. Repairs and crack filling first, then sealcoat over everything.

HomeGuide's range is every 2 to 10 years. With Edinburg's sun, many driveways need it toward the shorter end. Reseal when the surface fades to gray, not on a fixed calendar.

Walking is usually fine after 1 to 3 hours. Cars generally wait 12 to 72 hours depending on temperature, humidity and shade.

No. Sealer is too thin and sinks into cracks. Cracks are filled first, then the whole surface is sealed.

Yes, early in the day. HomeGuide puts the working range at 50 to 95 degrees, so we avoid the hottest afternoon hours and any day with rain in the forecast.

HomeGuide says typical striping lasts 2 to 5 years. Busy lots and strong sun mean more frequent restriping, and any sealcoat calls for new lines.

Under the 2010 ADA Standards, 1 for up to 25 spaces, 2 for 26 to 50, 3 for 51 to 75, 4 for 76 to 100 and 5 for 101 to 150, with at least one van-accessible.

Usually. We work in sections, early in the morning or after hours, and block only the area being painted.

Yes. Concrete is cleaned the same way, and the paint is chosen for the surface.