Regional Paving

Regional Paving removed and installed my driveway on 30 April 2015. In the 4 months since the driveway is deteriorating. Whenever it rains or when I hose the driveway the aggregate is coming loose and washing away. This gives the pavement a rough look. I can kick loose the aggregate with my foot or it will come loose when a car turns the wheel. This is happening even on areas of the driveway where there is no traffic.

Internet research revealed this issue is called “RAVELING” which means an on going separation or erosion of the aggregate particles due to having a poor mix of the binder to the aggregate creating a porous asphalt. Poor compaction will also cause “RAVELING”. Compaction will provide the proper tension, making the driveway hard enough. A driveway with 4 to 10 cm thickness should have a weight class of compaction of 4 to 8t wheel load according to data found while doing internet research . Our driveway was only compacted with a tamper that has a weight class of 60 to 80 kg.

I contacted Giovanni (company representative) on 31 Aug. 15 about the issue and he said he would come later that day after 5pm to look at the driveway. Giovanni was a no show. I contacted Giovanni again on 1 Sept. 15 and he said that he already informed the office of the issue and someone will definitely call and look at the driveway. Not hearing from the company, I called late in the afternoon the next day and was connected to voicemail after a couple rings so I left a message. On the 3rd Sept. Lesley called and said he would be here to look at driveway. After looking at the driveway, Leslie said the only way to fix the issue is to seal driveway and it would cost me 200.00 to 300.00. I informed him this is a warranty issue and the company is responsible to resolve the issue. Leslie said that is not his department and I have to deal with the pavement department.

On the 4th, 8th & 9th Sept. I called the Regional Paving phone number as listed on their web site and immediately was connected to voicemail and I also sent an email through their web site. On 10th Sept. I got a call from Apex Maintenance and said he was Gary from Regional Paving. He will be here next week to look at the driveway and I’m to call late Monday morning (14th Sept.) to set date and time. I called Gary with the phone number he provided on the 14th & 15th got voicemail each time as well so I left a message each time. I even called the office number with the same result.

It seems that Regional Paving does not stand behind their product or workmanship. They say they buy their asphalt from a reputable supplier for the last 40yrs. Yet I have Raveling. They say they are licensed and bonded but my driveway was compacted with a tamper. Regional Paving is stalling and does not want to correct this issue to the satisfaction of this costumer.

Reply to Company Response. 24 Sept. 15

The expert the company sent to inspect and address the issue informed me the driveway is losing aggregate (Raveling) and the only way to stop the erosion would be to seal the driveway. He informed me that he had the proper type of sealer already loaded on the truck and he could do it now. I would have to pay an extra $300.00 to $500.00 depending on the square footage of the drive way at $20.00 per Yard. Why would the company send an expert from the sealing department for my issue of asphalt Raveling instead of the paving or asphalt dept.

Please explain why Gary (owner) was torching a spot at the bottom of the driveway that would not compact during installation and then inform us if it got worse to call and they would fix this issue. Could the asphalt be a poor mix and wouldn’t compact with the tamper. Did they know something then! Why did the Raveling start not only in that area but all over the driveway even in areas where there is no car traffic just foot traffic. I would think Regional Paving would want to know if they did received a bad mix of asphalt from their supplier. The reason I pose this question is because I know of other home owners who’s driveway was done by Regional Paving around the time ours was installed and they have Raveling issues as well. Is this coincidental?

I don’t believe this is a cosmetic issue as Giovanni stated but an issue with the mix of the asphalt or compaction or both. On top of that, the customer has to pay in order to do a test to confirm issue. The costumer has to pay to seal the driveway to stop the issue as stated by the expert they sent. Giovanni stated we were never ignored. So why did he not leave a note or call to inform us he came back personally to have a look and found we were not home, of his finding but instead posted his reply.

I will continue NOT to recommend Regional Paving to family, friends, co-workers, etc... We are only one home owner but word of mouth can travel. This is a very big expense for a home owner to undertake and to realize that you got taken by what you thought was a reputable company leaves a bad taste!