Getting Your Driveway Done Gives Your Home Curb Appeal

Are you selling your house this summer? What does your driveway look like? Does it need to be replaced?

Durable driveways have a lifespan of 20-30 years, some have less and some have more, it will depend on local conditions. Your driveway is one of the first aspects of your house that a potential buyer sees when looking at the property. Additionally, getting your driveway done adds curb appeal and increases your resale value.

Checking the condition of your driveway will help you decide if it’s time to replace it. Here are some conditions to look for.

Cracks

There are many types of cracks that can appear in your driveway. There could be a linear crack which means one long line anywhere on your driveway. You might have “spider web” cracks on your driveway, with cracks radiating out and across. There could be side cracks, from an area that has caved a bit and started to crack. Cracks are a huge problem because if water gets in and freezes, the asphalt will expand and produce more cracks. And nature might pop up and grow through the cracks ex. grass/weeds.

Old & Uneven

When we put fresh asphalt down it is black and it looks great! It has positive curb appeal to potential customers. After decades it ages and begins to fade and change color to grey from the original dark black. Color is not the only sign that your driveway has aged. You could also have uneven parts of your driveway. The most common is near your garage or house. Your driveway may be uneven in some places and that could be a hazard for foot traffic and in the winter for ice build up.

Never done

Depending on where you live and when your home was built, you might never had your driveway asphalted. You might have a dirt and pebble stone driveway. Or you might just have a dirt road and you never had time or money to get it done. But if you want to sell your home, you should think about paving your driveway. 

Reference: What your driveway is trying to tell you?

Choose Asphalt!

There are many reasons to choose asphalt to pave your driveway. Asphalt is recyclable and one of the most reused/recycled materials in North America. It is also more environmentally friendly, and better for vehicles. It can outlast other types of paving and is a great choice to improve the look of your home.

With over 30 years of experience serving the Barrie and Simcoe area, Road Readie Paving has built a reputation second to none. We are committed to customer satisfaction through high quality workmanship at a competitive price. Contact us today for a free quote 705.719.0074

Spring Clean Your Driveway

Spring has officially arrived so it’s time to get started on your spring cleaning! When you’re working through your tasks inside your home, it’s easy to forget the tasks that need to be completed outside. Of course the yard work comes to mind, but getting your driveway ready for the new season should also be a top priority.

Freeze-thaw cycles, rain, snow and daily traffic can all take their toll on a driveway. With a little hard work, you can prepare your asphalt driveway for sealing to protect it for the next season.

How to Clean Your Driveway

To clean an asphalt driveway, mix together detergent and water and use a push broom with a coarse, stiff bristle to scrub the driveway.

If you notice any oil stains, you can try to scrub them out with detergent or bleach, or with a commercial driveway cleaner. Before using a commercial driveway cleaner, try the following household cleaner:

• Using a stiff, long-handled brush, scrub the stain with a solution of tri-sodium phosphate (TSP) or phosphate-free substitute.
• After reading the instructions and precautions on the label thoroughly, scrub remaining spots with full-strength household bleach. Be sure to take proper safety precautions including wearing rubber gloves and safety goggles.
• Rinse your driveway thoroughly with a hose.

If you choose to buy a driveway cleaner, make sure you buy one that is made for asphalt. A driveway cleaner made for concrete can cause major damage to your driveway. Be sure to follow the instructions.

Inspect For Damage

Once you’ve finished cleaning the winter grime off your driveway, you can conduct a thorough inspection to locate any breakdowns in asphalt before it worsens. Look for surface cracks, divots or bubbling. Regularly inspecting your driveway for cracks and holes can extend its lifetime. Hairline cracks that go unrepaired can expand and turn into potholes or large areas of crumbling. Divots can lead to puddling of water in areas, also reducing the lifespan of your driveway, while bubbling indicates driveway deterioration.

If you notice any of these issues, contact us for maintenance options that will help you avoid expensive fixes.



With over 30 years of experience serving the Barrie and Simcoe area, Road Readie Paving has built a reputation second to none. We are committed to customer satisfaction through high quality workmanship at a competitive price. Contact us today for a free quote 705.719.0074.

Meeting With Homeowners at Barrie's Spring Home Show

Seasonal consumer / trade shows are a great way to meet with local suppliers and contractors all in one space. Road Readie Paving met with customers, homeowners, and other businesses at the recent Spring Home Show at Molson Centre in Barrie.

Barrie Molson Centre 

 555 Bayview Dr. Barrie 

Saturday, March 28 10am - 5pm 

 Sunday, March 29 10am - 4pm

Our crew was on hand to answer questions about driveway replacement, new paving projects and backyard landscaping work.

Large projects or small we have the expertise and equipment to get the job done right and on time. Homeowners know us for our asphalt paving services, but many are unaware that we also install landscaping pavers, interlock, stonework, and even concrete!

The Spring Home Show gave us an opportunity to present our full range of services to the community and speak with homeowners about their up-coming spring projects.






With over 30 years of experience serving the Barrie and Simcoe area, Road Readie Paving has built a reputation second to none. We are committed to customer satisfaction through high quality workmanship at a competitive price. Contact us today for a free quote 705.719.0074.

Top 7 Reasons Why You Should Pave with Asphalt

Asphalt is becoming one of the most common paving products in North America and it's easy to see why. It can be applied in both residential or commercial settings and has tons of great benefits.  Use asphalt pavement for your next project and take advantage of these amazing benefits:

1. Quiet. Asphalt pavement produces about 50% less noise than a concrete surface. Highway noise is greatly reduced when paved with asphalt, and in residential applications, asphalt pavement is so quiet that it reduces the need to build expensive sound absorbing walls.
   
   
2. Smooth. Smooth and flexible asphalt pavements can withstand use from heavy trucks and vehicles, greatly reducing initial and total costs in the road’s life cycle. Smoothness also contributes to a reduction in wear on vehicles.
   
   
3. Safe. Inclement weather can lead to slick roads and high risk of accidents. Asphalt helps disperse surface water, reducing blinding spray and decreasing risk of aquaplaning. In addition, asphalt can improve tire grip due to its drainage capability and precision in aggregate mix.
   
   
4. Sustainable. Asphalt is 100% recyclable and is North America’s most recycled material. Four out of every 5 tonnes of asphalt pavement that is removed is reused. It is easily recycled because it requires little energy to recapture raw materials.
   
   
5. Green. Not only is asphalt recyclable, its properties do not leach toxins. Drinking water reservoirs and landfills are both often lined with asphalt or asphalt cement.
   
   
6. Economical. Asphalt is easily accessible with an ample number of asphalt plants located in Toronto. There are numerous asphalt pavers throughout Ontario, allowing for a competitive bidding process that contributes to lower costs. In addition, asphalt maintenance is quick, cost-effective and less disruptive when compared to cement concrete pavements.
   
   
7. Quick. Paving with asphalt reduces time spent on road construction since it does not require long curing periods. This means fewer traffic disruptions and improved productivity.

Road Readie Paving is your local expert in asphalt paving. We've been working in Simcoe County for over 30 years and have experience in all kinds of paving projects, including industrial and commercial parking lots, road construction and maintenance.

No matter how big or how small your project is, we'd like to work with you and see that you are pleased with the quality of the completed job.  Contact us today for a free quote!


Source: Ontario Hot Mix Producers Association

With over 30 years of experience serving the Barrie and Simcoe area, Road Readie Paving has built a reputation second to none. If you are needing asphalt for you next construction project, call Road Readie Paving for a free quote. 705-719-0074

Everything You Need to Know About Potholes

Potholes can be frustrating, whether your a driver on the road or are maintaining your commercial property.   Learn the facts and fiction about potholes and what preventative measures you can take to extend the lifetime of your road or parking lot.

The Ontario Hot Mix Producers Association (OHMPA) released some interesting facts and fiction about potholes. You can check it out in full here or check out our summary of “Potholes 101" below.

Myth #1
There are no potholes in concrete pavement.

Fact
Concrete pavement develops cracks and surface spalls that cause distress to the slab and eventually form a hole. When the distress of the slab becomes too much, it requires replacement and typically causes full or partial lane closures for 5-7 days for slab removal and curing of the new slab to prevent cracking.

Myth #2
Potholes are caused by asphalt failures.

Fact
Many roads, including those in Toronto, have a concrete base with 80mm of asphalt overlay to improve ride comfort and skid resistance. The concrete is jointed at 3m intervals to control cracking of concrete. These joints cause cracking of the asphalt overlay within 1-2 years of placement. Without maintenance such as sealing, these cracks will form potholes at the reflection cracks in the asphalt overlay.

Myth #3
Potholes are caused by poor quality ingredients added into the asphalt and cement.

Fact
All asphalt cement used in Ontario meet the mandated standards that undergo constant review and development.


The three most important factors to consider when completing a new asphalt paving project are:

1. Build durable roads with adequate thickness and tight longitudinal joints.
2. Ensure there is adequate drainage to prevent excess water entering the pavement during freeze and thaw cycles. 
3. Maintain your road or parking lot by sealing cracks as soon as possible.

If roads are built with proper drainage and well maintained, they can last from 15-20 years!

Source: Ontario Hot Mix Producers Association

Contact us today for a free quote on your next commercial paving project!

With over 30 years of experience serving the Barrie and Simcoe area, Road Readie Paving has built a reputation second to none. We are committed to customer satisfaction through high quality workmanship at a competitive price. Contact us today for a free quote 705.719.0074.

Choosing a Deicer for Your Driveway

Slipping and sliding down your driveway in the winter months isn’t fun.  And what’s worse -  most ice melting products will damage your concrete or asphalt driveway.  Aside from shovelling consistently and chipping away at the ice build up, deicers can be used sparingly to avoid damage.  There are also some alternative options to consider to help you avoid a fall on the ice.    

Consumer Reports released a comparison of different ice-melt products.  Categories for comparison included effectiveness by temperature, benefits, best used for and damage. 

Unfortunately, the majority of these products cause damage to concrete or asphalt. Click here for the full comparison.

Why do these products cause damage?

In most cases, damage to surfaces are caused by using too much of an ice-melt product. In addition, ice-melts increase the amount of freeze/thaw cycles on your driveway, causing your driveway to deteriorate faster.  

If you choose to continue using ice melt products, apply sparingly and always follow manufacturers instructions for use. If your concrete driveway is new, do not use any ice-melt product for at least 12 months to avoid any future damage. Finally, ensure your driveway does not have any cracks or holes as ice-melt can accelerate damage.

What are some alternative options?

If you are looking to add traction rather than melt ice, consider using some of the following environmentally friendly options:

• Sand
• Birdseed
• Kitty Litter

Keep in mind, nothing works better than shovelling often and wearing boots with traction.

With over 30 years of experience serving the Barrie and Simcoe area, Road Readie Paving has built a reputation  second to none. We are committed to customer satisfaction through high quality workmanship at a competitive price. Contact us today for a free quote 705.719.0074.

How to Dress Up Your Driveway for the Holidays

If you want your house to really stand out this year, think about dressing up your driveway.

Driveway decorations are the perfect complement to you home decorations – and they are one of the easiest accents you can install!

Here are some ideas: 

Lights, lights and more lights!

Luminaries, arches, or accent stakes. There are tons of different options that can suit your style.

Use solar or electric pathway lighting to line your driveway – try for a classic style using all multi-coloured lights or a simple, elegant white.

You can even aim for a theme, matching your driveway lighting with the rest of your home's décor.

The added lighting is an extra detail that will take your holiday decorations from great to spectacular.

Check out these amazing houses decorated with tons of lights - see hows slides 6-9 incorporated driveway lighting.

Set a Scene

Create a magical Christmas scene by incorporating decorations on your yard, spanning the length of your driveway.  This would be a great space for Santa and his reindeer to land, or even the perfect placement for a family of snowmen.

Don't forget the shrubbery!

If you have shrubs or trees lining your driveway, take advantage of net lighting or tree wraps. This is an incredibly easy option and will definitely make an impact.

Door Décor

If you don't think you will have the time to install lights, or want to add that one final touch to your decorations, consider buying a spotlight. Not only are projectors simple to install, there are so many different options to project.  You can choose a colour, snowflakes or image.  It can become your personal light show and your garage door is the perfect backdrop.

With the addition of driveway decorations to your already spectacular holiday décor, you will be well on your way to being the best dressed house on the block!

With over 30 years of experience serving the Barrie and Simcoe area, Road Readie Paving has built a reputation second to none. We are committed to customer satisfaction through high quality workmanship at a competitive price. Contact us today for a free quote 705.719.0074.