A new asphalt driveway is a significant home improvement investment, and a little preparation goes a long way toward ensuring a smooth installation and outstanding results. Harrison Paving has been paving driveways across South Jersey since 1985, and we have refined our process to minimize disruption to your household. Here is what you can do before, during, and after paving day to help everything go smoothly.
Clear the driveway area completely. Remove all vehicles, bicycles, trash cans, basketball hoops, planters, and decorative stones from the driveway and immediate surrounding area. Our crew needs room for equipment including dump trucks, a skid steer or excavator, and a paving machine. Mark any underground utilities, sprinkler heads, or landscape lighting near the driveway edges so our crew can protect them during excavation. If you have an irrigation system with heads near the driveway, have them flagged or consider turning off that zone until installation is complete.
If you have plants, shrubs, or garden beds adjacent to your driveway, cover them with tarps or move portable containers away from the work area. Asphalt installation generates dust during demolition and base preparation, and the paving equipment needs space to maneuver alongside the driveway edges. Also move any outdoor furniture, grills, or decorations well away from the driveway perimeter — we recommend at least 10 feet of clearance on all accessible sides.
Plan for your vehicles to be parked on the street or at a neighbor's house for the duration of the project. Most residential driveways are completed in a single day, but your new driveway should not be driven on for 24 to 48 hours after installation to allow initial curing. In hot weather the surface may remain somewhat soft for several days, so avoid parking heavy vehicles in the same spot or turning your steering wheel while stationary during the first two weeks.
Before your paving project begins, check your downspouts and gutters. Make sure they direct water away from the driveway area and toward appropriate drainage points. If you have experienced water pooling on or near your existing driveway, mention this during your estimate so our crew can address grading accordingly. Proper drainage is the single most important factor in long-term driveway performance in South Jersey's wet climate.
Our crew typically arrives between 7 and 8 AM with all necessary equipment. The first phase is demolition and removal of the existing surface, which is the noisiest part of the process and usually takes one to three hours. Next comes base preparation — excavation, grading, and compaction of the crushed stone foundation. Finally, the paving crew arrives with hot asphalt and installs the surface, followed by compaction with vibratory rollers. The entire process typically wraps up by mid-afternoon for a standard residential driveway.
After the crew finishes, resist the temptation to walk on the new surface until it has cooled and set — typically a few hours. Keep vehicles off for 24 to 48 hours. During the first few weeks, avoid sharp turns of the steering wheel while stationary and do not park heavy vehicles in the same spot for extended periods. Plan your first sealcoating for 12 to 18 months after installation to allow the asphalt to cure fully before sealing.
If there is anything specific about your property that concerns you — whether it is a tight clearance near your garage, shared driveway access, or a steep grade — mention it during your free estimate and we will address it in our plan. Call Harrison Paving at (856) 694-4181 for a free on-site estimate and personalized preparation guidance for your South Jersey driveway project.
Contact Harrison Paving at (856) 694-4181 for a free estimate.