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.

Plan Ahead | Commercial Snow and Ice Control

October is the perfect time of year to start thinking about winter snow removal.

Making arrangements before the snow arrives will allow us to create a custom snow removal package specific to your site. In addition, we will easily identify any hazards (such as curbs, walkways or fire hydrants) before they are covered in snow.




Tip: Remember to investigate city snow removal guidelines to check if by-laws such as sidewalk snow clearing will affect your business site. Here's a link to the City of Barrie's page about Winter Control.

Road Readie Paving offers commercial snow and ice services including:

• Truck and Machine Ploughing 
• Off Site Capability (Tri-axle dumps) 
• Full Coverage Liability Insurance 
• Ice Melting 
• Proper Equipment  

Our professional and reliable crew will be ready 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to handle everything the winter will throw at you!

 Contact us at 705.719.0074 to discuss snow and ice removal for your commercial site.

Protect Your Driveway From Fall Frost

Fall has officially arrived. While we are still enjoying the warm weather and hope we won’t see snow for a few months, the mornings and evenings are definitely getting frosty. And with frost, comes the reminder that it’s time to get ready for winter. Potholes and cracks are common occurrences following the spring thaw, and in order to prevent these costly problems, you can inspect your driveway to determine any areas for potential damage caused by frost.

Frost can cause immense damage to your driveway as the soil beneath your driveway can rise up vertically when it attracts moisture in the surrounding area. Here’s what to look for:

Cracks. 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 pavement. Leaving cracks unrepaired during the winter months will allow moisture to widen the crack causing the subgrade base to become unstable and deteriorate.

Divots. Divots can be caused by vehicles sitting for an extended period of time or from parking heavy vehicles such as trailers on your driveway. While divots are easily preventable, once they have developed, they can cause water to puddle in certain areas on your driveway. Consistent puddling will cause wearing of your driveway, potentially shortening its lifetime.

Bubbling. Bubbling can indicate oxidation and deterioration of your driveway. This can worsen over time and may indicate that it’s time to repave.

If you notice any of the above issues, contact us for maintenance options that will help you avoid expensive fixes next spring.


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.

The Benefits of Asphalt Driveways Over Concrete

When you look around your neighbourhood it is easy to recognize that the most popular driveway paving material is asphalt. The black surface enhances the homes curb appeal by providing a dark contrast to the green lawns and gardens.

People choose asphalt over other paving materials such as concrete because asphalt offers many benefits to homeowners.

PRICE: Asphalt is much less expensive than concrete. This is especially important for new homeowners or first time buyers who may find alternative paving materials outside of their purchase budget.

SPEED and USABILITY: Asphalt is professionally applied to a driveway and usable by the homeowner in about 2 days. Concrete can take twice as long to apply and even longer to set.

DURABILITY: Concrete surfaces can be severely affected by installation and finishing techniques. Poor installation can result in surface flaking exposing aggregates. The use of ice melting salts or salt from melting water off your car's tires or under-carriage can attack the surface and cause 'spalling'. An asphalt driveway is not attacked by de-icing chemicals and will look great spring, after spring. If concrete repairs are required, concrete may have to be removed and re-installed.

FLEXIBILITY: Asphalt is much more flexible than concrete and is therefore not prone to cracking.

MAINTENANCE COSTS: Asphalt cracks can be repaired easily by homeowners, but concrete cracks can not. In addition, an asphalt driveway can be re-sealed bringing the surface back to it's original dark black colour while concrete can not be touched up in this way. Engine oil or other spills show up more on the concrete surface and may require professional help to remove without damaging the concrete surface.

HEAT RADIATION: Asphalt absorbs heat in the winter and resulting in faster snow and ice melting. This means the surface is easier to clear and remove ice.

GREEN FOOTPRINT: Asphalt is easier to remove and recycle than concrete or other paving materials.

 Choosing asphalt will save you money and provide a safe easy to maintain paved surface that will last decades!


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

Road Readie Paving Provides a Range of Paving Services

Road Readie Paving is a full service Contractor. We have 30+ years experience in construction services such as; asphalt paving, concrete services, interlocking landscaping, and snow and ice removal. Does experience matter? You bet it does! We have know how to evaluate your paving project and deliver a quality job on-time and budget!

We've worked for many organizations and businesses in Simcoe County and our clients know that we are committed to customer satisfaction. And our services are broader than just asphalt paving. This allows us to deliver paving solutions to a project requiring different surfaces and materials.

Asphalt Paving: Road Readie Paving is your local expert in Simcoe for asphalt paving. Call us to consult on your project and give you a detailed estimate. We have 30+ years experience in all kinds of paving projects; Residential Driveways, Parking Lots, Commercial or Industrial Road Construction, School Grounds, Walkways and more!

Recycled Asphalt Paving: Do you have a road or driveway in need of re-surfacing? If so you may want to consider recycled asphalt. Recycled Asphalt Pavement makes both environmental and economic sense. Reclaimed asphalt contains a “treasure” of pre-processed road-building materials. The use of recycled asphalt pavement has grown widely, reducing the use of new materials and helping to preserve landfill space. Find out more about recycled pavement.

Concrete Services: Did you know we offer complete concrete services - from residential to commercial? Our Road Readie staff is experienced with curbs, sidewalks and concrete pads.​  If you need concrete work, give us a call for a free quote.

Interlock Paving: Ready to add curb appeal to your home or office? Interlock paving stones can create many attractive surfaces for edging, entrance-ways, steps, paths, and more! Road Readie Paving will help you with your large or small interlock project. We'll show you materials and give you design ideas.

Snow Removal Commercial and Residential: Snow and Ice Winter Services you can count on ... at Road Readie Paving, we create snow and ice control packages specific to your site! Prior to the first snow fall, we will stake out any hazards (such as curbs, walkways, fire hydrants). Once the snow and ice arrives, we are ready to maintain your site, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

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