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Paving a driveway or parking lot area offers a perfect blend of cost-effectiveness, durability, and aesthetic appeal, making them a popular choice for homeowners and professional business owners across Litchfield County, CT. VP Asphalt Paving specializes in creating long-lasting, attractive driveways engineered to your specific needs.
Why Choose Asphalt for Your Driveway or Parking Lot?
Tough Surface and a Long Life
Asphalt is built to handle the challenges of heavy use and extreme variations in weather conditions. Whether your home is in the Litchfield Hills of Historic Goshen or near the busy streets of Torrington, a well-installed asphalt driveway can last 25 years or more with properly scheduled maintenance. Its flexibility allows it to expand and contract without cracking, making it ideal for areas with seasonal weather changes.
Quick Installation
Asphalt is ready for use within 24-48 hours of installation, minimizing disruption. This fast turnaround is especially beneficial for families in bustling areas like New Milford or businesses in Thomaston, where time is of the essence.
Cost-Effective Solution
Asphalt offers excellent value, both upfront and over time. In 2024, the cost for new driveway paving, including materials and labor, ranges from $7 to $13 per square foot, depending on factors such as site preparation and driveway size.
Driveway sealcoating, an essential maintenance step, costs between $0.15 and $0.30 per square foot, making it a budget-friendly way to extend the life of your driveway. Homeowners in Kent or Washington Depot can enjoy the dual benefits of affordability and durability with this long-term investment.
Smooth and Resilient Finish
The sleek, black surface of an asphalt driveway enhances any property’s curb appeal. In addition, its dark color helps absorb sunlight, promoting faster snowmelt during winters, a key benefit for homes near snowy areas like Bantam or Woodbury.
How to Maintain Your Asphalt Driveway
Regular Debris Removal & Cleaning
Keeping your driveway clean prevents debris, oils and stains from deteriorating the surface. Sweep away leaves and dirt weekly, and tackle stubborn stains with a pressure washer and mild detergent. Regular cleaning is especially important in picturesque towns like Litchfield, where pristine driveways complement the area’s downtown charm.
Driveway stains not only detract from your property’s appearance but can also compromise the long-term durability of the asphalt. Accumulated oil, grease, or other substances weaken the pavement if left untreated. Regular cleaning is crucial to maintaining a pristine look, reducing weed growth, preventing pollution, and discouraging fungi growth. Addressing stains promptly is key to avoiding stubborn buildup.
Pressure washing is an effective cleaning method, but there are several alternative solutions for removing tough, greasy stains:
- Kitty litter: Apply a thick layer of cat litter, press it down, and let it sit overnight to absorb the oil. Sweep it up and rinse with water the next day.
- Use Can of Coke: Pour soda over the affected area, let it soak overnight, and wash it away to lift grease stains. If it’s a hot Summer day in Litchfield County, make sure you keep an extra ice-cold can for yourself to cool off!
- Oil stain remover: Use a specialized product like “CHOMP” following the instructions for fast and effective stain elimination.
- Section replacement: If stains are too deep to treat, replacing the damaged section of asphalt with a fresh layer ensures a clean and uniform surface.
Consistent maintenance enhances curb appeal and extends your driveway’s life, making it a worthwhile investment.
Sealcoating Your Pavement
Sealcoating protects your driveway from water damage, UV rays, and chemicals such as oil or gasoline. The process begins with a thorough cleaning, followed by filling cracks and applying a premium sealant evenly over the surface. At VP Asphalt Paving, we recommend sealcoating every 3-4 years, especially for driveways in South Kent or Cornwall, where fluctuating temperatures can take a toll on unprotected surfaces.
When applying asphalt sealcoating, favorable conditions include warm temperatures and moderate humidity. It’s crucial to check the weather forecast to avoid rain or extreme weather that could disrupt the curing process. After application, allow the sealant to cure for a minimum of 12 hours for optimal results.
Consider these specific types of sealant options for your driveway or commercial parking lot:
- Fill-and-seal sealants
- Durability, Protection – Fill-and-seal sealers are designed to both fill minor cracks and seal the surface, offering extra protection against water penetration. These sealants are ideal for repairing aged or cracked driveways before applying a top layer of sealcoat. Brands like Rust-Oleum and Henry offer popular fill-and-seal products that help restore the surface’s strength.
- Oil-based driveway sealers
- Long-lasting, Resistant – These asphalt sealing products are known for their longevity and ability to resist wear and tear from weather and vehicle traffic. SealMaster and Black Jack are reputable brands offering oil-based solutions that provide strong protection against UV rays and rain.
- Asphalt emulsion sealers
- Eco-friendly, Coverage – are water-based, eco-friendly products that work well for rejuvenating older driveways and are easy to apply. Vick Pagona feels both GemSeal and Primer Seal are popular brands known for their environmentally friendly asphalt emulsions that provide good coverage and flexibility.
- Latex acrylic sealers
- Flexible, Waterproof – Latex -based sealants are highly flexible and provide a waterproof layer, making them suitable for both residential and commercial driveways. Latex-ite filler sealer and Behr offer latex acrylic sealers that resist cracking, fading, and damage from chemicals, offering a long-lasting finish.
Crack Repair & Filling
Ignoring cracks can lead to water infiltration and costly damage. VP Asphalt Paving’s experts clean out debris, apply crack filler, and smooth the surface to ensure lasting protection. Proactive crack repair is essential, particularly in areas like New Milford, where heavy rainfall can exacerbate minor damage.
Proper Driveway Drainage
Effective drainage prevents pooling water that can weaken asphalt over time. Drainage solutions include grading, French drains, catch basins, or graded swales lined with rip-rap or large crushed stone to redirect and slow down runoff. In towns like Torrington, where uneven terrain is common, proper drainage safeguards the structural integrity of your driveway.
Protecting Your Asphalt Driveway from Large Vehicle Damage
As your asphalt driveway ages, signs of wear and tear become more apparent. While these issues might not pose an immediate threat, it’s crucial to contact your residential asphalt contractor for assessment and repairs.
Common types of deterioration include:
- Peeling – Surface Flaking
- Blowouts – Surface Failures
- Reflection cracks – Visible Patterns from Below
- Potholes – Deep Surface Dips
- Raveling – Loss of Aggregate
- Linear cracks – Small Surface Cracks
- Fatigue cracks – Multiple Cracks from Stress
- Rutting – Depressions from Traffic
- Shoving – Displacement of Asphalt
- Sinkholes – Ground Collapse
- Upheaval – Surface Rising
- Root cracks – Tree Root Intrusion
To protect your driveway from the list of damages, especially if heavy equipment is involved, follow these precautionary steps:
- Cover the surface with plywood – Distribute weight evenly
- Lay down sturdy wooden planks – Prevent direct contact
- Use strong planks for extra protection – Provide additional support
- Install wheel stops on heavy vehicles – Limit tire pressure on the surface
- Use small concrete blocks to restrict movement – Stabilize equipment and prevent shifting
The methods listed above will help preserve the integrity of your asphalt pavement and minimize damage from heavy objects or vehicles in the future!
Exploring Litchfield County
Litchfield County is rich in history, culture, and natural beauty. The historic Litchfield Town Green offers a window into the town’s past, while New Milford’s Lover’s Leap State Park and open spaces provide a serene backdrop for living amongst Mother Nature. Kent Falls State Park, with its breathtaking waterfalls, is a must-see for nature lovers, and the little town of Kent provides locals and visitors with a vibrant arts scene and delightful dining options.
Other sites in the area include Barkhamsted Reservoir is a large body of water in Barkhamsted, Connecticut that’s the main water source for Hartford and the surrounding area! The reservoir is created by the Saville Dam, an earthen embankment dam on the Farmington River. The dam is located in southwestern Barkhamsted and central Hartland.
The American Museum of Tort Law is situated in the Center of Winsted, Connecticut and is a wonderful landmark to visit while learning about the legal system! If you’re in the mood for farm-to-table organically grown fresh produce. So be sure to stop by friendly folks at Gresczyk Farms in New Hartford for a look see!
Thomaston’s Opera House provides year-round entertainment, while the New Milford area of Litchfield County offers lakeside charm with Candlewood Lake. In Woodbury, antique shops line the streets and many locals worship every Sunday at St Paul’s Episcopal Church, while Bantam’s Arethusa al Tavolo delivers a gourmet experience that draws visitors from across the region. Each town adds its unique charisma to Litchfield County, making it a wonderful place to live and explore while vacationing from out of state.
Things to Do in Litchfield County Connecticut
More Sites to See in Litchfield County
Call Litchfield County’s Most Trusted Paving Contractor at (203) 819-7414
Contact VP Asphalt Paving
For top-quality driveway paving, sealcoating, crack repair, and gravel or stone leveling services, trust VP Asphalt Paving. We proudly serve all of Litchfield County, including Torrington, Kent, Salisbury, Goshen, New Milford, Cornwall, Harwinton, New Hartford, Watertown and Roxbury.
NAP
Owner: Victor Pagona
VP Asphalt Paving
27 Cottage Grove Ln
Waterbury, CT 06706
Contact us right now to schedule your free estimate and experience the VP Asphalt Paving difference!
Asphalt Paving & Maintenance – Helpful (Q & A) for Homeowners in Litchfield County CT
- How long does an asphalt driveway last in Litchfield County’s climate?
- With proper maintenance, asphalt driveways can last 25-30 years or more in Litchfield County, thanks to their ability to expand and contract with seasonal weather changes prominent in the Litchfield Hills.
- How much does it cost to pave a driveway in Litchfield County?
- In 2024, the cost of paving a new asphalt driveway ranges from $7 to $13 per square foot, depending on the driveway size and overall type of preparation needed.
- When should I apply sealcoating to my driveway?
- Sealcoating should be applied every 3-4 years to protect your driveway from weather damage, especially in areas like Kent and Goshen, where fluctuating temperatures can cause wear.
- What are the best methods to remove oil stains from asphalt driveways?
- You can use cat litter to absorb oil overnight, Coca-Cola to lift grease stains, or an oil stain remover like “CHOMP” for effective treatment.
- How can I protect my asphalt driveway from heavy equipment damage?
- To prevent damage, use plywood or sturdy wooden planks to distribute weight, install wheel stops, and use concrete blocks to restrict movement when heavy vehicles are involved.
