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Rieth-Riley Construction - Driveway Brochure

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YOUR NEWWE APPRECIATE YOURWWW.RIETH-RILEY.COMASPHALTPAVEMENTBUSINESS574.875.5183rieth-riley.comHOT MIX ASPHALT DRIVEWAY CARE.- ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS

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CURINGTIMEYou may walk on your new driveway almost immediately, but if at all possible keep traffic off until the next day. Even after the blacktop has cured, do not expect it to be as hard as concrete. Your pavement has been designed to be flexible. Michigan's temperature variations cause expansion and contractions. To help reduce this effect we intentionally use a softer asphalt which may cause some marks initially, but you as the customer benefit in the long term. These marks, unless severe, will usually iron out with traffic. Should you consider any marks severe please call and we will be happy to take a look. CONGRATULATIONS!We were pleased to be chosen as your contractor and offer the following comments to help you in maintaining a long and lasting investment. You are the proud owner of a new hot mix asphalt surface. You have chosen a surface which has many advantages: ECONOMICALFLEXIBLESMOOTHERQUIETERLONG LASTINGRECYCLABLEEASY TO MAINTAINENERGY EFFICIENT

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VARIEDTEXTUREPower steering is usually the biggest culprit in marking your new pavement. Be careful and avoid turning your steering wheel back and forth when your car is not moving as this will push the hot mix asphalt leaving a ridge or tread mark. Your driveway may look smoother in some areas than in others because of the makeup of Hot Mix Asphalt. There are various sizes of stone, sand, liquid asphalt, and other ingredients which cause a varied texture of the surface. Also, the areas that have been raked and spread with hand tools may appear different in texture from those spread by machine. This is not unusual and although the surface may be varied or appear stony your structural strength is not compromised. TIREMARKS

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SHARPOBJECTSBicycle and motorcycle kickstands exert weight on concentrated areas and will create holes and depressions in your new driveway. An easy solution is to spread a concentrated load by using a block of wood. This should always be done when parking your boat or trailer in the driveway.Edge support of your pavement is important to its life. We suggest building up the sides of your driveway with gravel or topsoil. This will support the edges and enhance the appearance especially after grass is grown. However, do not build up the edge too high which could prevent water from draining off the surface. It is important for the water if at all practical to drain away from your driveway. EDGESUPPORT

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REFLECTIVECRACKINGIf you have placed new Hot Mix Asphalt over an existing asphalt or concrete surface, existing cracks in the old surface may reflect through the new asphalt and appear in your new surface. This might not happen until after the first or second winter, but eventually they may appear. This is not necessarily harmful, but you should realize this may happen. Avoid gasoline, oil, anti-freeze, power steering and transmission fluid spills and leaks. These will dilute the liquid asphalt in your driveway, creating soft spots and maybe cause the stone to ravel. If these spills occur, soak up excess with oil dry, kitty litter or dry sand and then rinse your driveway immediately with water and a detergent.SPILLSOR LEAKS

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No, you don't have to. You might consider it if you have the following two needs: 1. To protect your pavement against continuous oil and gas spills. But only certain sealers will provide this protection. Be very careful in your selection of sealers or companies who do sealing. Generally home driveways or commercial parking lots do not find it is necessary to seal. It is advised for gas stations near the gas pumps.2. To give a very black appearance. You must realize this color is only temporary as wear and winter weather brings snow plowing and a great deal of scuffing and marking. Once you start the process of sealing you usually have to repeat the process every couple of years to maintain a consistent appearance.It is claimed the sealer will extend the life. It is our opinion you seal to protect against excessive oil and gas spills; or to blacken your pavement. We do not feel it is very cost effective or necessary to spend money for sealing to extend the life of your pavement. Although we make every effort to prevent any weed growth, at times you could find a weed or two popping up to the surface. This will not present a problem if the weed is removed and a commercial weed killer is applied. Any hardware store will have a small spray can of weed killer which should easily do the job.WEEDSDO I HAVETO USE ASEALER?