Base Material: Gravel (Granular A) is the sturdiest type of base. "Leda Clay" also known as Quick Clay, is a volatile base and covers most of the Ottawa area, including but not limited to Orleans, Findlay Creek, and Barrhaven. There are methods of reducing the risk, but unfortunately, there is no way to eliminate it. A high groundwater table could cause soil and rocks to be saturated with water, causing potential settling in the spring, summer, and fall; and swelling when the water freezes in the winter.
Thickness of Base: The thicker your base, containing the proper material, the less shifting will occur. The minimum recommended base thickness is 8 inches of Granular A.
Weather Variations: The more significant the weather variation, the more asphalt is prone to cracking, heaving, and dipping. Ottawa has one of the most significant weather variations globally.
Quality of Asphalt: There are dozens of qualities of asphalt. The highest residential quality we recommend and use is HL3.
Thickness of Asphalt: Thicker does not necessarily mean better. Residential asphalt rollers can only compact up to 2.5 inches of asphalt. The asphalt will remain malleable and vulnerable to shifting defects if more than 2.5 inches are applied.
Equipment: Newer equipment could have features that improve the application, compaction, and cosmetic appeal.
Wear and Tear: Wear and tear include but is not limited to: weight on asphalt per square inch (Lighter vehicles and parking in the garage will cause less wear and tear than vice versa), dry steering (turning of the tire without moving the vehicle) frequency, salt application (deteriorates asphalt and causes tar to oxidize), base settling (earthmoving underneath asphalt)...and more.