Hey everyone, I just had my driveway resurfaced with asphalt and I'm feeling like we might've been shorted on the material. The contract specified that they should apply at least 4 inches of asphalt, but I'm seeing areas that are way below that after the job. I measured the thickness as they were laying it down, and it came out to just 3 1/4 inches before they rolled it. They tried to explain that the machine compresses it, but it seems off to me. After the job, I've noticed some areas are only about an inch or two thick. I can't help but feel like we were shorted on the asphalt, especially with how the job turned out. I wish I'd been more vigilant about supervising the work. Has anyone else experienced this with their asphalt jobs? What can I do about this now?
3 Answers
When it comes to asphalt thickness, it's typically measured based on what's in place, not just during the installation. A materials testing engineer can really help verify the thickness if you wanted to dig into this issue more formally, although I'd be careful as it sounds like they might just brush you off. Unfortunately, some companies know how to play these games and often get away with it.
Yeah, going with reputable companies is key. The larger firms that have their own plants are way less likely to skimp on materials. If you can, offering cash for a side job might be tempting, but it does come with risks. I’ve had to deal with a similar situation, and it could help to know the paving schedule in your area to avoid these shady practices in the future.
You're totally right about needing to be on the lookout during these jobs. A lot of asphalt companies tend to cut corners, kind of like used car salesmen! I've seen this happen too often. The best way to handle these situations is to keep a close eye on the work as it's happening. It's a pain, but sometimes you really have to push them to meet the contract specs.
For real! I had a similar experience where I had to constantly call them out just to get them to do their job properly. It's really frustrating, and I get how you feel.
Thanks for the advice! I’m not sure if I want to go through the hassle of more investigations, but I appreciate the tips for other people who might find this useful.