HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1986-04-16, Page 47•
Check it out before having
Homeowners having driveways repaired
or installed this suimner should be aware
that a bit of research can pave the way past
many common problems.
"Before you sign a contract, you should do
some digging yourself," says Roberta Allan
of the Ontario Ministry of Consumer and
Commercial Relations (MCCR). "Driveway
paving contracts are complicated, making
it easy for unethical companies to take ad-
vantage of customers. Bad paving jobs are a
major source of consumer complaints every
year.
In an attempt to put disreputable firms
out of business, members of the paving in-
dustry recently helped the ministry develop
important guidelines for consumers hiring
driveway contractors.
All paved residential driveways should be
composed of two layers — a crushed stone
base, overlayed with an asphalt finish. Ac-
cording to industry representatives, the
base must be a minimum of six inches deep,
while the asphalt layer should usually be
two inches thick once compacted.
When setting up a contract, be sure these
depths are clearly listed where applicable.
It's important to note that the material dep-
ths should be set out in "inches after com-
paction." Unethical contractors often cheat
consumers by listing depths before
compaction.
The amount of work required will vary
with the condition of the driveway itself.
Resurfacing involves the installation of
new asphalt over the existing driveway and
should only be done if the old surface doesn't
show any visible defects. Of course, con-
tracts for resurfacing will not list depths for
a new stone base.
Driveways that have cracked or heaved
may need to be regraded. This involves the
removal of the existing asphalt, regrading
of the underlying stone and resurfacing.
Once the old asphalt has been stripped off,
the contractor should ensure the base stone
is six inches deep. Contracts for regrading
should include a clause requiring the paver
to provide additional base stone if necessary
Plant trees now
to give a final depth of six inches once
compacted.
Excavation goes a few steps beyond
regrading, involving the removal of all ex-
isting materials to expose the earth
subfloor. Excavation “is indicated if your
driveway is too high, drainage problems are
severe, the existing base shows signs of cav-
ing in or the materials used originally were
of poor quality.
Always get at least three quotes on the job
and don't base your final choice of a com-
pany on price alone. Be particularly wary of
firms quoting prices that are much lower
than their competitors' estimates.
"Some of these people give quotes that
don't even their costs," Allan says.
"Inevitably, do shoddy work, short -
Question: My living room turns into a
greenhouse when the sun shines – better for
petunias than for people. I'd like to plant a
few trees in the yard to shelter the house
from the sun's rays. Any suggestions before
I begin?
Answer: Spring is a good time to plant
trees - you'll keep cool during the coming
summer and the trees will have a full season
to establish a root system and grow strong
• before winter weather sets in. Before you
take up your shovel, however, be sure to
plan where you're going to put those trees.
Remember, you want them to shade the
house, not move in with you. So leave plenty
of room for each tree to grow. And dont
forget about mowing and other yard chores.
You'll want to leave enough space to
maneuver around those trees.
Question: Last year my lawn was a bat-
tlefield. My grass and I spent the year lock-
ed in combat with weeds and pests. This
year I'd like to get a jump on the enemy.
How should I begin my campaign?
Answer: With the right strategy and
weapons, you can fortify your position and
prevent the enemy from establishing a
beachhead. Your plan of attack should begins
with a soil test. Your grass may not be get
ting the right amount of nutrients and\
minerals needed to keep it healthy and'
strong enough to ward off invaders.
Next, check to see if thatch build-up isn't
creating a problem. This layer of dead
stems and roots may be camouflaging the
activity of pests and preventing moisture
from reaching grass roots. If thatch is more
than 1/2 inch deep, you may want to rent a
thatching machine to clear your field of
combat and help keep your troops in peak
condition.
cover
they
PAQFi 21
your driveway repaired
change on materials or disappear without ties should alio be included.
finishing the job. Sometimes they just take Most good driveway contractors offer a
off with the customersdeposits without
even starting the work."
AU paving companies signing contracts in
consumers' homes must be registered with
the ministry. Before hiring a firm, ask for
its registration number and confirm it by
calling the nearest Consumer Services
Bureau of MCCR.
Once a paver has been picked, set up the
contract. In addition to material depths, it
should list the type of work required, the
driveway dimensions, definite start and
completion dates, the quality of materials to
be used and prices. The company's name
and address should be identified along with
your own. Information about any warran-
one year warranty.
"Any defects in workmanship or
materials will generally show up during the
first 12 months, so a one year warranty is
quite adequate," Allan says. `Be sure you
know exactly what the warranty covers."
To help consumers deal more effectively
with driveway pavers, the ministry has pro-
duced a comprehensive fact sheet in co-
operation with members of the industry. To
obtain a copy, contact the nearest Consumer
Services Bureau or the Consumer Informa-
tion Centre at 555 Yonge St., Toronto, Ont.
M7A 2H6 — (416) 963-1111 or (toll free)
1-800-268-1142. Ontario residents with an 807
area code may call the 416 number collect.
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