Homeowners in the East Hill neighborhood of Kent, WA often look at a brand-new Asphalt Driveway and wonder how long it will actually last. Valley Paving Co drives past driveways all over Kent every single week, and our team sees the exact same mistakes being made over and over again. People put hard-earned money into fresh Asphalt Paving, only to watch it crack, sag, or crumble a couple of winters later. Usually, it is not because the material was bad. It is because of a shortcut taken during the planning or hiring stage.
Property owners in Kent, WA who are getting ready to upgrade their property want an Asphalt surface that handles our notorious Pacific Northwest moisture without turning into a sponge. The most common traps homeowners fall into must be avoided completely when planning Asphalt Paving work in Kent, WA.
Skimping on the Base Layer
Valley Paving Co knows the biggest secret in our line of work: your Asphalt Driveway is only as good as the dirt sitting underneath it. Down here in the Kent Valley, our native soil can be a real challenge. It holds onto water, shifts around, and does not offer great natural drainage. If a crew shows up, skips proper excavation, and just lays fresh Asphalt straight over weak mud or old, failing gravel, you are wasting your money.
You need a solid crushed rock base compacted properly before a single pound of hot mix goes down. Do not let anyone tell you they can rush this step to save a few dollars. If the foundation moves, your Asphalt Driveway is going to crack. Valley Paving Co provides Asphalt Paving services for homes and businesses in Kent.
Chasing the Cheapest Bid
Everyone likes a good price. But when an Asphalt Contractor drops a quote in your lap that is thousands of dollars lower than everyone else, alarm bells should go off immediately. How are they cutting that cost? Usually, it means they are using thinner Asphalt, skipping essential prep work, or hiring untrained labor off the street.
At Valley Paving Co, our team has had to tear out and redo Asphalt Driveways that were installed just two years prior by a fly-by-night operation that vanished when the cracks appeared. Spend the extra money upfront for a reputable local crew that stands behind their work. For Kent homes, Valley Paving Co is here for all your Asphalt Paving needs.
Ignoring Drainage Realities
Water is the absolute enemy of Asphalt. With the amount of rainfall we get around Kent from October through May, proper grading is very important. If your Asphalt surface slopes toward your garage or creates a massive puddle right where you step out of your car, the contractor messed up the pitch.
Make sure whoever you hire talks to you about water run-off. Where is the rain going? Does it drain into your landscaping, a proper trench drain, or just pool in the middle of your parking area? Fixing a drainage problem after the Asphalt Paving is finished is a major headache. We provide Asphalt Paving services for homes and businesses in Kent.
Failing to Check Credentials
Too many people shake hands on an Asphalt project based on a slick advertisement or a door-knocker offering a deal because they just finished a job down the street. That is a classic warning sign. Before you hand over any money, verify that the company is licensed, bonded, and insured right here in Washington. Ask for local references and drive by jobs they completed three or four years ago to see how they are holding up.
Planning an Asphalt Paving project takes patience. Take your time, ask the hard questions, and do not let anyone rush you into a contract. Doing the Asphalt installation right the first time is always cheaper than doing it twice. Call Valley Paving Co for Asphalt Paving work in Kent, WA.