Asphalt Resurfacing in Arlington Heights, IL

Asphalt resurfacing, often called an overlay, adds a new layer of hot-mix asphalt over existing pavement. It makes sense for driveways and lots that look worn but are still well supported. HomeGuide estimates an overlay saves about 20 to 30 percent compared with full replacement, since the old pavement stays in place as part of the structure. The catch is that the base has to be sound, or the old cracks come right back through.

Is your driveway a candidate?

Good signs: the surface is faded and rough, there are scattered straight cracks, nothing moves underfoot, and water drains off. Bad signs: sunken ruts, frost heaves, a web of alligator cracks, crumbling edges or standing water. If the bad signs are limited to a few areas, those can be cut out and rebuilt before the overlay. If they are everywhere, replacement is the better choice.

Heights and transitions

An overlay raises the surface. On older Arlington Heights driveways that may have been overlaid before, that can push the blacktop above the garage slab or the sidewalk. We mill a strip at each transition so the new layer meets them flush, and we check drainage along the edges so water does not get trapped.

The process

Failed sections are saw-cut and rebuilt. Cracks are cleaned and filled. Edges at the garage, walk and apron are milled. The surface is swept and coated with tack, a thin asphalt emulsion that bonds new to old. Then the overlay is placed and rolled.

Permits

Resurfacing that changes the driveway's size or touches the parkway apron needs Village review. We confirm whether your project needs a permit before scheduling.

Lots and private streets

Condo associations and businesses often resurface lots and private drives in phases. Milling at curbs, catch basins and entrances keeps grades right, and failed areas are rebuilt first so they do not reflect through.

How long an overlay takes

Most driveway overlays are finished in a day once repairs are done, with a short wait before driving on them. Lots are resurfaced in sections over several days.

Overlay costs in context

Because an overlay reuses the existing pavement as part of the structure, it skips the cost of full tear-out and much of the base work. That is where the savings come from, and also why the base has to be sound.

Resurfacing in older neighborhoods

In villages where most homes date from the 1960s and 70s, many driveways have already had one overlay. A second can work if the base is still firm, but heights at the garage and walk become critical. Milling at those edges is not optional on these jobs.