Asphalt & Concrete Paving FAQs

Asphalt usually costs less up front, installs faster, and repairs easily, while concrete lasts longer and stays cooler in summer. The right choice depends on your budget, how the surface will be used, and how much upkeep you prefer.

Repeated vehicle loads gradually wear down asphalt, especially where vehicles turn, brake, or remain parked. Small cracks can let water reach the base beneath it. Routine inspections, timely crack repairs, and regular sealcoating help protect the surface and reduce the need for larger repairs.

Watch for cracks wider than a coin's edge, gray or crumbling patches, standing puddles, and edges breaking away. Concrete shows trouble through lifted joints, flaking surfaces, and sinking slabs. Catching these early keeps a small repair from becoming a full replacement.

A solid plan seals cracks every year, applies sealcoat every few years, and refreshes striping after each seal. Patching small failures quickly protects the base. Following this rhythm can add many years before resurfacing or replacement becomes necessary.

Water that sits on asphalt or concrete eventually seeps through cracks and softens the base underneath. Once the base weakens, traffic pushes the surface down, creating ruts, potholes, and sunken slabs. Good slope and drainage prevent most of this damage.

They can. Los Angeles Low Impact Development rules generally apply when a project adds more than 500 square feet of hardscape. At Imperial Paving Services, we help owners in Sylmar, CA, plan drainage so new paving fits those requirements.

Move vehicles, trash bins, and outdoor furniture away from the work area, and turn off nearby sprinklers a day ahead. Let neighbors or tenants know about access changes, and keep children and pets clear of equipment until cleanup ends.

Paving should come last whenever possible. Heavy equipment, dumpsters, and concrete trucks from roofing, landscaping, or utility work can crack fresh asphalt or new concrete. Finishing those projects first protects your investment and avoids costly patches down the road.

Late spring through fall offers the warm, dry days asphalt and sealcoat need, though our mild winters allow work most months. Imperial Paving Services schedules projects across Sylmar, CA, around rain forecasts and the hottest midday hours of summer.

The base spreads every vehicle's weight across the soil below. A thin or poorly compacted base lets the surface flex, crack, and sink no matter how good the top layer looks. Strong pavement always starts with what sits underneath.

Yes, and they often should. Many properties pair an asphalt driveway with concrete walkways, aprons, or trash enclosure pads. Our team at Imperial Paving Services designs these combinations for homes and businesses in Sylmar, CA, so each material handles its job.

Daily irrigation that soaks pavement edges weakens the base, loosens asphalt borders, and leaves mineral stains on concrete. Adjusting spray heads to keep water on the landscaping is one of the easiest ways to extend the life of any hard surface.

A clear estimate lists the work area, removal of old material, base depth, asphalt or concrete thickness, drainage changes, and cleanup. Vague wording like "pave driveway" leaves too much open, so ask for specifics before you approve any project.

Strong shaking can crack rigid concrete, shift slabs at joints, and open seams in asphalt. Imperial Paving Services inspects surfaces in Sylmar, CA, after seismic activity and recommends sealing, patching, or replacement based on what the movement actually damaged.

Most residential projects take 1 to 3 days of on-site work once scheduled, while large parking lots may run in phases over a week or more. Concrete needs extra curing time before full use, which adds a few days.

Seeds settle in cracks and open joints, then roots widen those gaps as plants grow. Sealing cracks promptly, keeping edges tight, and preparing the base properly before paving all reduce the openings weeds need to break through to the surface.

Blacktop and asphalt both combine crushed stone with a petroleum-based binder. Blacktop is the everyday name people use for asphalt on driveways, lots, and roads, so in practice the two words describe the same dark paving material you see on most streets.

Many associations regulate driveway materials, colors, borders, and widths, and some require written approval first. Review your covenants before work begins. Imperial Paving Services follows approved HOA specifications on projects throughout Sylmar, CA, so the finished surface matches what your community requires.