Question 1

My Maplewood driveway is cracking but not collapsing — do I need a full replacement or can it be resurfaced?

Accepted Answer

It depends on what is happening underneath the surface. Linear cracks from oxidation and minor surface fatigue on a sound base are good candidates for crack sealing followed by a mill-and-overlay — you get a fresh surface without the cost of excavating and rebuilding the base. Alligator cracking across large sections, visible settlement, or water pooling on the surface after rain are signs the base has softened or shifted, which means a resurface will crack through again within a few seasons. We assess the base condition during the estimate and tell you honestly which approach makes sense for your specific driveway. Maplewood's clay soils mean base problems are common, so we look carefully before recommending a lower-cost option that will not hold.

Question 2

Does Maplewood require a permit to repave a residential driveway?

Accepted Answer

For the portion of the driveway on private property, generally no permit is required. The apron — from the property line to the curb — is a different matter. Maplewood's Engineering Department requires a permit for any apron construction or replacement, and the work must meet township specifications for thickness (typically 6 inches at the apron versus the standard residential driveway depth), finished grade, and drainage. Any change to the curb opening adds another step to the approval process. Roca handles the permit application and builds the apron to code as part of every job that includes that section.

Question 3

What time of year is best to pave a driveway in Maplewood?

Accepted Answer

Late spring through early fall is the right window — roughly May through October — when air and ground temperatures are reliably above 50 degrees Fahrenheit and rain can be avoided for the curing period. Hot-mix asphalt needs to be laid and compacted before it cools, which becomes difficult in cold weather. Beyond the installation window, spring is also the best time to assess winter damage: after Maplewood's freeze-thaw season, frost heave cracks and settled edges that were hidden in fall become fully visible, and you have the whole summer ahead to get the work done properly.