Hear from Our Customers
Your driveway becomes a problem you don’t think about anymore. No more dusty gravel tracking into your house every time someone drives up. No more worrying about potholes forming after every hard freeze.
The textured surface grips tires better than smooth asphalt, especially when it’s wet or icy. You’ll drive on it the same day we finish – no waiting around for curing time like with concrete.
Most homeowners get 7 to 10 years out of their tar and chip driveway, and with basic upkeep, some push it to 15 years. That’s real value for your money.
We’ve been handling driveways in Wilson County and the greater Nashville area for over five decades. We’re veteran-owned, which means we show up when we say we will and finish what we start.
Most of our work comes from referrals – neighbors telling neighbors about driveways that still look good years later. That’s how you build a reputation in a place like Southside, where people know each other and word travels fast.
We’ve seen every type of driveway problem Tennessee weather can throw at a surface. From freeze-thaw cycles that crack concrete to summer heat that makes asphalt soft, we know what works here and what doesn’t.
We start by preparing your base – grading it properly so water runs off instead of pooling. This step matters more than most people realize. A solid foundation is what separates driveways that last from ones that fail in a few years.
Next comes the hot liquid asphalt, applied evenly across the prepared surface. While it’s still hot, we spread a layer of stone chips and immediately roll everything with heavy equipment. This embeds the chips into the asphalt, creating that textured surface that gives you traction.
The whole process typically takes one day for most residential driveways. You can drive on it as soon as we’re done – no waiting period. We clean up any loose stones, and you’re left with a surface that looks like quality gravel but performs like pavement.
Ready to get started?
Tar and chip handles our climate better than most people expect. The flexible asphalt base moves with ground shifts, while the stone top layer sheds water and resists freeze damage.
In Southside, where many properties have longer driveways leading to homes set back from the road, tar and chip makes financial sense. You get the durability of pavement without the cost of full-depth asphalt. It’s particularly popular with homeowners who have rural or farmhouse-style properties.
The stone chips come in different colors and sizes, so you can choose something that complements your home’s exterior. Most people go with neutral tones that blend with the natural landscape, but you have options if you want something more distinctive.
Maintenance is minimal – mainly just sweeping away debris and fixing any loose spots that might develop over time. No sealcoating required like with regular asphalt.
Most tar and chip driveways in Tennessee last 7 to 10 years with normal use. With proper maintenance – mainly keeping debris swept off and addressing any loose spots quickly – some homeowners get 15 years or more.
The lifespan depends on a few factors: how well the base was prepared, the quality of materials used, and how much traffic the driveway sees. Heavy vehicles or frequent use will wear it down faster than light residential traffic.
Tennessee’s freeze-thaw cycles actually affect tar and chip less than concrete or standard asphalt. The flexible nature of the surface allows it to move with ground shifts without cracking.
Tar and chip typically costs about half what you’d pay for traditional hot-mix asphalt. Most homeowners in the Southside area pay between $2 to $5 per square foot, depending on the size of the project and site conditions.
The savings continue after installation because you don’t need to sealcoat tar and chip every few years like you do with regular asphalt. That ongoing maintenance cost adds up over time, making tar and chip even more economical in the long run.
For large driveways – common in rural areas around Southside – the cost difference becomes significant. A 1,000 square foot driveway might save you $3,000 to $5,000 compared to traditional asphalt paving.
Yes, you can drive on tar and chip as soon as we finish the installation. There’s no curing time required like with concrete, and no waiting period like some other paving methods require.
We do recommend driving carefully for the first few days while any loose stones settle in completely. After that, it’s ready for normal use including heavier vehicles if needed.
This immediate usability is a big advantage for homeowners who can’t afford to have their driveway out of commission for days or weeks. You get your driveway back the same day we install it.
Tar and chip actually performs better in hot weather than traditional asphalt. The stone chips on top reflect heat and prevent the underlying asphalt from getting soft and sticky like regular blacktop does in summer heat.
You won’t have issues with footprints or tire marks during hot days, which is a common problem with standard asphalt driveways. The textured surface also provides better traction year-round, including during Tennessee’s occasional ice storms.
The stone layer also helps with drainage during heavy summer thunderstorms, allowing water to shed off the surface instead of pooling or penetrating into the base material.
Tar and chip is relatively low-maintenance compared to other paving options. The main tasks are sweeping away leaves and debris regularly, and addressing any loose stones that might work free over time.
Unlike regular asphalt, you don’t need to sealcoat tar and chip every 2-3 years. The stone chips naturally protect the underlying asphalt from UV damage and oxidation. If small areas do need attention, they can usually be patched with cold-mix asphalt.
Snow removal is straightforward – just avoid aggressive scraping with metal blades that might dislodge stones. A rubber-edged blade or snow blower works fine for winter maintenance.
Tar and chip is actually excellent for steep driveways because the textured surface provides superior traction compared to smooth asphalt or concrete. The embedded stone chips give tires something to grip, reducing the chance of sliding on inclines.
Many properties in the Southside area have sloping driveways due to the terrain, and tar and chip handles these conditions well. The flexible surface also adapts better to ground movement that can occur on hillsides, reducing the risk of cracking.
For very steep grades, we can adjust the stone chip size and application technique to maximize traction. The key is proper drainage to prevent water from running down the slope and causing erosion around the edges.
Local Resources
Useful Links
Other Services we provide in Southside
