"LurfysMa" wrote in message
...
On 22 Mar 2006 07:03:00 -0800, "louie" wrote:

a third or fourth opinion is always a good idea so go for it. Both
contractors are correct: patches never look as good or last as long as
a *properly* done resurface (look at asphalt patches in the road and
consider how well they work), however you MIGHT be able to get away
with a patch if it's in a low traffic area and it's kept well sealed.
Ask the contractors if they warranty their work - will they come back
and fix it next year if it fails, how about two years, etc?

Good suggestion.

Two things are working against you:

1) the sinking is probably caused by an poor base under your driveway.
Not enough or incorrect type or incorrectly compacted fill, maybe not a
proper binder layer. You can keep filling the sinking spots, but
they'll continue to cause problems. The only true answer to this that
I've ever heard of is to actually tear out the driveway and start over.
This will probably cost a lot more than you want to consider. Perhaps
the contractors know of a way to fix this that I haven't heard of, but
I'd be very careful about it (see above comments about warrantying
their work).

Most of the "sinking" was caused when we put in a pool about 10 years
ago. One of the cement trucks was apparently too heavy. For some
reason, it only damaged one side of the driveway. Perhaps because of
the poor base layer.


Sounds like an improper base support underneath.

Where there is only localized settling, then it's often entirely feasable to
patch.

Generally, you just remove the asphalt top coat to well beyond the affected
area and then replace the base material with a properly compacted granular
fill before re-paving over.....

Always endeavor to keep your base fill dry...either by elevating the roadbed
upon initial installation else by later excavation and maintenance of proper
ditching afterwards....the goal being to promote the rapid disposal of any
runoff and so prevent ground water from taking away compacted material from
underneath your pavement.

--

SVL