patching/leveling asphalt

[wingnutty]

So, I just had a new driveway put into our new house. The street has a low spot directly in front of the driveway. We built the driveway up so that I could level the asphalt to the top of the driveway (about 3").

So, I've got an 8' x 15' low spot, 3.5" at the lowest and then grading up to level. I'd estimate we need ~25 cu ft of asphalt fill total (8' x 15' x 2.5")
We only have one asphalt guy in town and he quoted me $500-$700:scratch Seems very, very high to me. I was thinking ~$200.

So, now I'm stuck either a.) using this guy and getting ripped off or b.) doing it myself.

I've briefly looked into asphalt patching compound (EZ Street, Quickcrete, ect). Figure it'll cost about $200 for materials. I don't mind the labor, i kinda like doing odd jobs/projects. The question is, will I be able to do a good enough job with these patching compounds? Anyone have any experience with this sort of thing before I spend $ on it?

 

[IDASHO]

Is this a city street?

If so, you have no business fixing/adjusting it.

Call the city.

 

[nate379]

$500-700 seems cheap to me.

 

[AlphaGarage]

Ditto IDASHO. If this is a public street you probably aren't allowed to alter it, and if you did you'd be opening yourself up to liability issues.

Get a bit of return on your taxes and have the city deal with it.

And that must be one heavy tricycle!

 

[foss]

I was going to say the same as the others. Call the town, it is up to them to fix it.

 

[wingnutty]

I agree, but the town will not pay for it.

I guess i'm gonna put up with it for a while. I'm just worried that seepage underneith the pavement and/or concrete will undermine my new concrete driveway by causing it to sag

 

[nate379]

Could always fill it with gravel.

I did someething like that when the landlord's "promises" of knocking down the curb so I could get in my driveway never came true. After the 1st year I got some old doors and made a ramp. Stayed like that for another 2.5 years and I moved out.

 

[SC-Eric]

Our city fixed my street.

1) Call the city
2) When they say 'no' call your city council member

 

[TheShrine]

Don't try to fix it yourself. If that temporary puddle bothers you...the permanent blemish of your repair will bug the s _ _ t out of you even more! You will not be able to duplicate the city's application process so you'll be unhappy with your fix.

With that being said....be careful asking the city to fix it as well. They very well send a crew out and use the same or similar product you would have used and you'll still have the obvious repaired area. I've "repaired" asphalt before and it never matches the surrounding area.

If you're OK with the obvious repair........go for it.

Good luck!

 

[foss]

Wolverine Coatings is absolutely right .....take it further...that is unacceptable!

 

[Falcon67]

There are several potholes in front of our house. I use busted up concrete from a curbing I'm trying to get rid of out of the back yard. The city manager had a bit of a problem with it. I told him the big giant mud puddle one was courtesy of the water department guys and when they fixed the street enough so I didn't have to mow the part in front of the house we' d be even.

Go the city council meeting, tell 'em how you've spent big money to improve your property and ***** like hell. New driveway, new house, big tax bill, tax paying citizen, etc. You'll be maybe one of one or two citizens there, you might get a response. Take pictures of the nice house, nice yard, new driveway and the mess in the street. Don't call - address the council directly. Calls get a no every time. If you can persuade at least some of the council to look at the city manager or whoever, you might get action.

 

[nate379]

Hell I live on a dirt road but have a paved driveway