New Jersey paving & masonry contractor
Crack filling, pothole patching, overlays and sealcoating that keep asphalt driveways and parking lots looking sharp and lasting longer.
Three decades paving NJ properties
Fully licensed NJ contractor
Owner-led, hands-on projects
Written, no-obligation quotes
Overview
Quick answer
Sealcoating is a protective coating applied over cured asphalt to shield it from UV, water, oil and road salt. Combined with crack filling and patching, it can add years to a driveway or parking lot. Old Irish Paving & Masonry recommends sealcoating New Jersey driveways every 2–3 years and filling cracks as soon as they appear.
Water is asphalt’s enemy. Once it gets through a crack and into the base, a New Jersey winter freezes and expands it, turning a small crack into a pothole. Routine maintenance costs far less than replacement, and done right it keeps the surface looking new.
Key facts
Problems we solve
Most calls we get start with a problem, not a project. Here are the issues New Jersey homeowners and property managers bring to us most often, what causes them, and how we fix them for good.
What you seeA patch of interconnected cracks that looks like reptile skin, usually in wheel paths or near the garage.
Why it happensThe base underneath has failed. Water got through surface cracks, softened the stone and soil, and the asphalt is now flexing under every car. It’s a structural failure, not a surface one.
How we fix itWe saw-cut around the failed area, dig out the asphalt and the wet base, install and compact new stone, then patch with hot-mix asphalt. If more than about a quarter of the driveway looks like this, full replacement is the better value.
How to prevent itSeal cracks as soon as they appear, keep downspouts discharging away from the driveway, and sealcoat every 2–3 years.
What you seeHoles that you or a previous contractor filled with cold patch, only for them to reopen after the next freeze.
Why it happensCold patch from a bag doesn’t bond or compact properly, and the soft base underneath is still holding water. Each freeze-thaw cycle pops the patch out.
How we fix itA permanent repair is cut square, excavated to firm material, rebuilt with compacted stone, tack-coated and filled with hot-mix asphalt rolled flush.
How to prevent itFix potholes in the warm season with hot mix, and make sure water drains off the surface instead of sitting in low spots.
What you seeWater ponds near the garage door, along the edges or in tire ruts long after the rain stops.
Why it happensThe driveway was graded flat or sloped the wrong way, or the base has settled in spots. Standing water seeps into cracks and accelerates every other kind of damage.
How we fix itSmall birdbaths can sometimes be corrected with an infrared or hot-mix leveling patch. Where the overall pitch is wrong, the surface has to come out so the base can be regraded, sometimes with a trench drain or dry well added.
How to prevent itPitch matters most at installation. Ask any contractor exactly where water will go before they pave.
What you seeThe sides of the driveway are breaking off into the lawn, especially where cars drive close to the edge.
Why it happensAsphalt edges with no support underneath, or with base that stops short of the edge, crack under tire loads. Lawn sprinklers and runoff wash out the soil beside them.
How we fix itWe cut back to solid asphalt, extend and compact the base beyond the paved edge, repave, and often install Belgian block curbing to lock the edge in place.
How to prevent itBuild the base wider than the asphalt, tamp the edges at a bevel, and keep heavy vehicles off the outer foot of the driveway.
What you seeThe driveway has turned light gray, the stones are showing, and it feels rough underfoot.
Why it happensSun (UV), water and road salt oxidize the asphalt binder over time, making the surface brittle and porous.
How we fix itIf the surface is structurally sound, we fill cracks and sealcoat to restore color and protection. If the stone is coming loose (raveling), a 1.5–2″ overlay renews the surface.
How to prevent itSealcoat every 2–3 years starting 6–12 months after paving, and don’t over-seal yearly, which can cause peeling.
What you seeTwo depressions where the car always parks or drives, sometimes holding water.
Why it happensToo thin a base, poor compaction, or heavy vehicles (work trucks, RVs, dumpsters) on a driveway designed for cars.
How we fix itRuts mean the base deformed. Small areas are excavated and rebuilt. Widespread rutting calls for replacement with a thicker base and asphalt section sized for the heavier vehicles.
How to prevent itTell your contractor about any heavy vehicles before paving, and use plywood under dumpster wheels and trailer jacks.
Sealcoat restores color, slows oxidation and blocks water, gasoline and oil from soaking into asphalt. It does not fill cracks or fix structural damage, so we always repair first. Too much sealcoat, applied every year, can actually cause peeling and cracking. Every two to three years is the sweet spot for most homes.
Our process
Tom or a family member walks the property, measures, checks drainage and talks through materials and budget.
You get a clear, itemised quote covering excavation, base depth, materials, finish and clean-up. No pressure.
Our own crew excavates, builds the compacted base and installs the surface using quality materials.
We clean up, walk the finished job with you, explain aftercare and stand behind the work.
If more than roughly 25–30% of the surface has alligator cracking or the pavement has sunk, the base has failed and repairs will just keep coming back. We’ll show you what we see and quote both a repair and replacement when it’s borderline.
Plan with confidence
| Season | What to do |
|---|---|
| Spring | Walk the driveway after the thaw. Note new cracks, potholes and puddles, and rinse off winter salt. |
| Summer | Best time for crack sealing, patching and sealcoating (dry days above 50°F). |
| Fall | Last chance for hot-mix repairs before the plants close. Clean out drains and gutters. |
| Winter | Use a plow shoe or rubber edge, avoid metal shovel edges, and use calcium chloride sparingly. |
Reviews
★★★★★
Old Irish put in a patio for us and we are extremely happy with the patio and their service. They were very responsive and got the job done very quickly. The patio and concrete pad underneath our hot tub look amazing!
— Alyssa M., Google review
★★★★★
My sister hired Old Irish for cellar stairs and basement wall work. They arrived early, never left until 5 or after, and always cleaned up. They also told her about leakage inside her foundation and did a great job fixing it.
— Connie B., Google review
★★★★★
Last fall the Old Irish Paving crew repaired our front slate porch and our paver walkway and they did a great job! They came back to complete a minor repair and we are very happy. We are considering using them again for another project.
— Kathleen N., Google review
FAQ
Every 2–3 years for most residential driveways. Busy commercial lots may need it more often.
Usually 24–48 hours before driving on it, depending on temperature, humidity and sun. We’ll block off the driveway and let you know when it’s ready.
Wait about 6–12 months so the asphalt can cure and release its oils first.
Both keep water out. Hot-pour crack sealant is rubberized and flexible, which works better in New Jersey’s freeze-thaw cycles than cold-pour fillers.
Yes. See driveway repair, concrete paving and patio repair.
Most recurring cracks come from water getting into the base, not from the asphalt itself. Seal cracks while they’re small, fix drainage, and if alligator cracking has spread, rebuild the base in that area.
No. Bagged cold patch is a temporary fix. A permanent repair is saw-cut, excavated, rebuilt with compacted stone and filled with hot-mix asphalt.
No. Every 2–3 years is right for most driveways. Sealing too often builds up a film that can crack and peel.
Free, no-obligation quote
Tell us about your driveway, patio, steps or masonry project. Tom or a member of the family will call you back promptly to book a free on-site visit and a written quote.
Prefer to talk? (908) 992-2345
