HawthorneVillager.com

I got my second asphalt coating in the fall, flush with my driveway.

Over the past few weeks, my garage is now 1 1/2 inches LOWER than the driveway. The bump to get out of the garage is getting worse by the day and I am concerned my garage will get flooded. Is this something Mattamy will still deal with? We have been in the house just about 2 yrs.

I have also noticed the similar thing. My driveway at the garage is about 1/2"-3/4" higher than the garage which when they did the 2nd coat it was flush. My guess it is the driveway that has gone up with the freezing of the ground, sometimes once it thaws it should go back down, if not mattamy should fix the problem as the driveway is not a year old yet.

Derek

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Derek & Gaby

House2Home Renovations
derek@h2hrenos.com
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Here is what Tarion has to say:

14.8
CONDITION
DRIVEWAY HAS SETTLED
Acceptable Performance/Condition
Driveways shall be graded so that water does not accumulate at or near the building. Subsidence
in other parts of a driveway is not covered by the statutory warranty.
Warranty
One-Year – Work and Materials
• Subsidence of the land around the building or along utility lines, alterations by the homeowner
such as landscaping or improper maintenance is excluded from the statutory warranty.
Action
Driveways not meeting the acceptable condition shall be repaired.
Remarks
Disturbed soil will naturally consolidate and cannot practically be prevented from moving.
Frost heaves may also produce seasonal movement where the driveway meets the garage.
Heavy loads imposed on a driveway can cause local depressions.

One year coverage only but by all means bring it up with Mattamy. 1.5" sounds excessive but I have seen it before. Yes, it is called frost heaving.

John Allingham, Professional Engineer
Owner & Certified Home Inspector
Halton-Peel Home Inspection
(416) 254-5869
www.peelhomeinspection.com

Hi proudowner,

There are 2 things happening with your driveway that is causing it to heave due to frost.

1) There is to much moisture under the asphalt. It is the moisture that is lifting the pavement as it freezes. You need to divert water away from areas where it can work its way under the pavement.

2) There is probably not much gravel and to much of the wrong type of dirt under the asphalt. Heaving occurs when the right combination of soil, soil moisture, and soil temperature exists. Coarse sands and clean gravels do not heave, while fine sand and silts are very susceptible to heaving. Clays, which are very common in Milton, also are very susceptible to heaving with tremendous pressures. When silts, sands or gravels are mixed with clay, significant heaving will occur.

My guess is that your asphalt driveway is sitting on very little clean gravel that is contaminated with lots of clay type soil that is saturated with moisture.

Andy Shaw - 905 876 4761
http://www.haltoninspections.com

_________________
For Home Inspection services call Andy Shaw at Halton Home Inspection Service. 905 876 4761

If these problems are related to frost heaving then they may improve as the frost comes out of the ground. However, driveways that are susceptible to this heaving won't last long as the lifting, dropping, and traffic on the driveway will crack the asphalt allowing more water under the slab that in the end, will make things worse.

But, like I said, the best way to reduce this next winter is to reduce the amount of water that is getting under the asphalt and to hope for a hot dry summer.



Andy Shaw - 905 876 4761
http://www.haltoninspections.com

_________________
For Home Inspection services call Andy Shaw at Halton Home Inspection Service. 905 876 4761

I have the exact opposite problem - the asphalt driveway has settled in relation to the garage slab and sidewalk. It's about 3/4 inch lower. This started when the cold weather hit. Is there anything to worry about in that case?

I have the same problem around garage slab as well as along sidewalk-driveway meeting edge. I did call Mattamy Service. Walter, Service Manager, came to inspect the driveway. He said, he was aware of the problem in Phase 15A. He would be coming back in Spring to have another look. I am hoping for a fix in Spring.

I think whoever is having this issue should call Mattamy Service and have the inspect the driveway.

..with the warm weather my driveway is almost flush with the garage. I still have an uneven bump in the middle higher than the other area but I guess (hope) it should be fine in the summer.

It may be OK for a few years but this movement will cause your driveway to fail well before it should.

Driveways are already being replaced at 6 year old homes in town. Just drive down Baverstock Cres for examples.

Next time you will want the driveway properly done with a base of clear fill under the asphalt.

Andy Shaw

_________________
For Home Inspection services call Andy Shaw at Halton Home Inspection Service. 905 876 4761