Residential & Commercial
Asphalt Driveway Paving in Ottawa
Driveway Paving overview
What asphalt driveway paving actually involves
Asphalt driveway paving is the process of laying and compacting hot-mix asphalt over a prepared, well-drained granular base. Done properly it produces a smooth, sealed surface that sheds water away from your home, resists cracking through freeze-thaw cycles, and lasts for decades with only routine sealing.
Most Ottawa homeowners are choosing between two approaches. A peel & pave (overlay) removes the top layer of tired asphalt and lays a fresh surface course over the existing base — the faster, more economical option when the base underneath is still sound. A full grade & pave removes everything down to subgrade, rebuilds the granular base to the right depth and slope, then paves. It costs more and takes longer, but it is the only real fix when the base has failed, the driveway holds water, or the grade sends runoff toward the house.
On an estimate visit we tell you which one your driveway needs and why. If an overlay will hold, we say so — reselling you a full rebuild you do not need is a good way to lose a neighbourhood.
Why the base matters more than the asphalt
Almost every failed driveway in this city failed from underneath. Ottawa's freeze-thaw cycle drives water into the granular layer, that water expands as it freezes, and the asphalt above it heaves, cracks and alligators. Asphalt is a flexible surface — it can only be as stable as what it sits on.
That is why we spend most of a job on what you will never see: stripping the old surface, compacting the subgrade, laying and compacting granular base to a consistent depth, and setting the slope so water runs off the driveway rather than sitting on it. Only then does the hot mix go down, in a properly heated lift, compacted while it is still at temperature.
What's included
- Removal and disposal of the existing asphalt or gravel surface
- Subgrade compaction and granular base installation to the depth your driveway needs
- Grading set to drain water away from the house, garage and walkways
- Hot-mix asphalt laid by paver or by hand where access is tight
- Roller compaction while the mix is still at working temperature
- Hand-worked edges, aprons and transitions to garage floors and city sidewalks
- Site cleanup and haul-away of all removed material
Start to Finish
What the Process Looks Like
No surprises. Here is exactly how a driveway paving project runs from the first phone call to the final walkthrough.
Free on-site estimate
We measure the driveway, check how it drains, look at the condition of the existing base, and talk through whether an overlay or a full rebuild makes sense. You get a written price with no obligation.
Scheduling and prep
We confirm a date and let you know what to move — vehicles, garbage bins, anything parked on the driveway. If utility locates or permits are needed for work at the street, that gets sorted first.
Removal and excavation
The old surface comes out. On a full rebuild we excavate to the depth the new base requires and haul the material away the same day.
Base and grading
Granular base goes in, gets levelled and compacted in lifts, and the finished grade is set so water leaves the driveway instead of pooling on it or running at your foundation.
Paving and compaction
Hot-mix asphalt is placed and rolled while it is still hot. Edges, the garage apron and the street transition are worked by hand so the finish is tight everywhere the machine cannot reach.
Walkthrough and aftercare
We clean up, walk the finished driveway with you, and explain the curing window — when you can drive on it, why you should keep sharp turns and jack stands off it for the first while, and when to think about sealing.
Recent Work
Driveway Paving in Ottawa
Real Proseal Plus jobs, photographed on site. See more in the full project gallery.
Where We Work
Driveway Paving Across Ottawa
Our crews cover the entire city of Ottawa, ON and the surrounding area.
- Kanata
- Barrhaven
- Orleans
- Nepean
- Gloucester
- Stittsville
- Riverside South
- Manotick
- Greely
- Downtown Ottawa
Not sure if we reach your area? Get in touch — we are happy to check.
Common Questions
Driveway Paving FAQs
How long does it take to pave a driveway?
Most residential driveways in Ottawa are a one- or two-day job. An overlay on a sound base is often a single day. A full excavation and rebuild usually runs two days, because the base has to be placed and compacted before any asphalt goes down.
When can I drive on a new asphalt driveway?
You can walk on it the same day once it has cooled. Most driveways take vehicle traffic after 24 to 48 hours depending on the weather. Asphalt keeps curing for months after that, so for the first season avoid parking in the same spot every day, turning the wheel while stopped, and setting jack stands, trailer jacks or kickstands directly on the surface.
What is the best time of year to pave in Ottawa?
Late spring through fall. Hot mix has to be placed and compacted while it is hot, so the cold end of the season works against you, and the asphalt plants close for winter anyway. If you are planning a spring project, booking early in the year gets you a better spot in the schedule.
Do I need a full rebuild or can you pave over my existing driveway?
It depends entirely on the base. If the existing driveway is structurally sound and just worn out on top, an overlay is a sensible, economical fix. If it holds water, has heaved, has widespread alligator cracking, or drains toward the house, the base is the problem and paving over it just buys a couple of years. We tell you which situation you are in during the estimate.
How much does a new asphalt driveway cost in Ottawa?
It depends on square footage, access, how much material has to come out, and whether the base needs rebuilding. That is why we do not quote over the phone — we come out, measure, and give you a written price that will not change once work starts.
Should I seal a brand-new driveway?
Not right away. New asphalt needs time to cure and release its oils. Sealing is generally something to consider after the first season, then on a repeating cycle after that. Sealing too early can trap oils and leave a soft, marking surface.
Also From Proseal Plus
Related Services
Driveway Sealing
Sealing is the cheapest thing you can do to extend the life of asphalt.
Learn moreExcavation & Grading
Everything that goes wrong with asphalt goes wrong underneath it.
Learn moreHot Asphalt Repair
Potholes, cracks and broken edges are cheap to fix and expensive to ignore.
Learn moreReady When You Are
Get a Free Driveway Paving Estimate
Tell us about your project and we'll book a free, no-obligation on-site visit anywhere in Ottawa.