7 Things Driveway Contractors Near Me Say You Should Never Do

Most Ottawa homeowners want their driveways fixed fast. The usual step? Typing “driveway contractors near me” into a search engine and calling the first name that pops up. We see it all the time.

But good driveway paving Ottawa isn’t about speed. It’s about doing things right. And the best paving contractors in this city? They don't just lay asphalt and walk away. They explain what works, what doesn’t, and why some habits can wreck a driveway faster than you’d think.

At Black Tar Construction, we’ve heard it all—from clients who’ve had their driveways redone twice in five years to others confused about sealcoating schedules. The truth is, most early failures start with preventable mistakes.

This guide breaks down the seven most common things our team, and other experienced paving contractors near me, often tell homeowners to stop doing. These aren’t marketing tricks. They’re based on years of working in Ottawa’s rough weather and challenging soil conditions.

If you want your driveway paving near me to last more than a few winters, this is where you start.

Mistake #1: Choosing the Cheapest Quote

Everyone looks at the asphalt driveway cost first. That’s normal. But when it comes to asphalt work, going with the cheapest quote almost always leads to regret.

The lowest price often means corners are being cut. Maybe the contractor is using leftover materials from another job. Maybe they’re skipping proper excavation or only laying a thin layer of asphalt. None of these things are visible at first, but the problems show up later. And in Ottawa’s freeze-thaw climate, they show up fast.

We’ve seen brand-new paving near me jobs start cracking within the first year. Usually, it's because there wasn’t enough gravel under the base or the asphalt layer was too thin to handle the load. Some driveway companies near me also avoid compacting the base properly to save time. That mistake can cost you a full repaving job within a few seasons.

As a rule of thumb, a proper residential asphalt driveway should have at least 4–6 inches of compacted gravel and 2.5–3 inches of hot mix asphalt. Anything less, and it won’t survive a few Ottawa winters.

Paving companies that care about quality explain exactly what they’re including in the estimate. They don’t hide details. They don’t guess. And they don’t promise the cheapest job on the block.

Mistake #2: Ignoring Drainage from the Start

Drainage is one of the biggest reasons driveways fail early, yet it’s also the most overlooked.

Many homeowners assume water will “just flow off” the surface. But asphalt paving doesn’t drain like grass or soil. It needs the right slope to shed water properly. If the driveway is flat—or worse, angled the wrong way—water will pool. In Ottawa, pooled water turns to ice. Then it melts. Then it freezes again. That cycle cracks the asphalt from the inside out.

We’ve been called in to fix brand-new driveways ruined by poor grading. Some had no slope at all. Others sent water toward the garage, causing flooding. These aren’t small mistakes. They can damage more than just the driveway paving near me.

A good driveway contractor always checks the slope before laying a single drop of asphalt. Sometimes that means cutting into a section of the yard. Other times, it means installing a drain trench. The point is, water needs somewhere to go. If it’s left to sit, it will always win.

The best pavement companies near me include drainage in their plans from day one. If a contractor doesn’t bring it up, that’s a red flag. Always ask how they plan to deal with runoff.

Mistake #3: Paving at the Wrong Time of Year

We get it—everyone wants their driveway done as soon as the snow melts or just before the cold sets in. But timing is everything in this business. We’ve had people call in mid-April or late October asking if we can squeeze in a quick job. In most cases, we have to say no—and for good reason.

When the ground’s still cold, asphalt cools too quickly. It doesn’t have time to compact and settle the way it should. The same goes for wet soil—it shifts underneath and causes cracks later on. Even if the surface looks good for a few months, problems show up fast once the freeze-thaw cycles hit.

Ottawa’s paving season is short. We usually start in mid-May and wrap up by early October. That’s the sweet spot—warm enough to work with hot mix asphalt properly, and dry enough to avoid a soft base.

The best crews won’t pave if the conditions aren’t right. If someone offers to do it in the middle of a cold snap, ask yourself why they’re still booking jobs when everyone else has packed up for the season.

Mistake #4: Using the Driveway Too Soon

Fresh asphalt paving always looks like it’s ready to go. It’s solid, it’s black, it looks done. But underneath, it’s still curing—and that part takes time. If you drive on it too soon, you’re not just leaving a few tire marks. You could be causing dips, soft spots, or even early cracks.

We’ve had customers call us worried about strange grooves or impressions just days after a new install. Almost always, someone parked too early or spun their wheels while turning. In hot weather, this happens even faster.

Here’s our usual advice: wait at least three full days before driving on a new driveway, and a full week before parking. If the weather’s really hot, even more time is better. No trucks, no trailers, no heavy loads for at least two weeks.

A good asphalt company should walk you through this. We tape off the driveway and explain everything before we leave. The instructions might feel like overkill, but following them protects the work you just paid for.

Mistake #5: Sealing Too Early or Too Often

Sealcoating helps, no doubt about it. But it only works when it’s done at the right time—and we see a lot of people jump the gun.

The most common mistake? Sealing brand-new asphalt too soon. The surface might look dry, but it needs months to cure underneath. Sealing it too early traps the oils and stops it from setting properly. That leads to cracks, peeling, and soft spots.

On the other end, some folks go overboard and seal every year. That can do more harm than good. Too many coats build up like paint and eventually start flaking off. It also makes the surface slippery when it rains.

The general rule we follow is: wait 6 to 12 months after paving before sealing, and after that, do it every two or three years. That gives the asphalt time to breathe and still keeps it protected.

Also, only seal in dry, warm weather. We’ve had to redo jobs because someone rushed it in damp conditions, and it didn’t bond right.

At Black Tar Construction, we tell our clients not to worry too much about sealing right away. Focus on proper curing first. Then, if the surface starts to grey out or lose its smooth look, it’s probably time to seal.

Mistake #6: Parking Heavy Vehicles

This one gets overlooked all the time. People figure if the driveway looks solid, it can handle anything. But asphalt paving isn’t concrete. It has more give, especially in the first year.

We’ve had customers call us about dents or ruts showing up out of nowhere. Most of the time, it’s because a work van, boat trailer, or RV sat in one spot too long. Even a heavy truck with wide tires can slowly press into the surface, especially on hot days.

Asphalt softens when it heats up. Park something heavy on it for hours—or worse, days—and it’ll start to sink or leave marks. Once those ruts form, water pools in them. And pooled water leads to cracks.

If you’ve got a heavy vehicle, it’s best to park it in the same spot every time—ideally with a plywood board underneath to spread the weight. And if you’ve just had the driveway paved, keep the big stuff off for at least a couple of weeks.

Good driveway contractors will always bring this up before leaving the job. The driveway isn’t bulletproof—it needs a little care, especially early on.

Mistake #7: Skipping Maintenance

Once a driveway is paved, a lot of people stop thinking about asphalt maintenance services in Ottawa. That’s fair—it's not exactly front-of-mind. But like anything outside, asphalt wears down over time. And if you ignore it, small problems turn into big ones fast.

Tiny cracks? They might not seem like much. But in Ottawa’s weather, they fill with water, freeze, and expand. One winter later, you’ve got a pothole. If the edges start crumbling or water stops draining properly, those are signs it's time for upkeep.

Maintenance doesn’t have to be a big deal. Sweep debris. Keep weeds out of the edges. Fill small cracks before they grow. Reseal every few years if it’s looking worn. These little steps stretch your driveway’s life by years.

The best paving contractors near me aren’t just installers—they help with long-term care. At Black Tar Construction, we always tell customers: treat the driveway like part of your home. A little attention each year saves a whole lot of money down the road.

The Final Takeaway

Driveways seem simple—until something goes wrong. Ottawa’s climate, soil, and temperature swings are tough on asphalt. That’s why it pays to listen when experienced driveway contractors near me offer advice, even when it’s stuff you might not want to hear.

We’ve worked with thousands of homeowners across the city. And the same issues come up again and again. Rushing the job. Choosing based on the asphalt driveway cost. Ignoring drainage. Parking too soon or skipping asphalt maintenance services in Ottawa. These things add up.

A good driveway paving near me doesn’t just happen. It’s built the right way, at the right time, and taken care of properly. And when it is, it’ll last years longer than the average job.

Looking for experienced driveway contractors near me in Ottawa? At Black Tar Construction, we don’t cut corners—and we’ll always tell you what your driveway actually needs (and what it doesn’t). Give us a call or request a free quote today. We’ll make sure your next driveway is built to last, not just look good for a season.