The Top 7 Fall Paving Myths Albany Homeowners Still Believe (And What’s Actually True)
Fall is the best time for driveway paving in Albany — yet many homeowners still believe outdated myths. Here are the top 7 fall paving myths and the real truth from local experts.
🍁 The Capital Region’s Fall Paving Season… and All the Myths That Come With It
Every fall, homeowners across Albany, Colonie, Schenectady, Guilderland, and Rotterdam start thinking about driveway repairs — but they also fall victim to a ton of misinformation.
Some myths come from old-school contractors.
Some from out-of-town pavers.
Some just keep getting repeated until people assume they’re true.
Today, we’re breaking down the 7 biggest fall paving myths we hear EVERY year — and giving you the truth based on 50 years of experience paving in the Capital Region.
Let’s get into it.
MYTH #1: “You can’t pave in the fall — it’s too cold.”
Truth: Fall is actually the BEST time to pave in Albany.
This one refuses to die.
Here’s the reality:
Fall is peak season for paving in the Capital Region.
Not only is asphalt still hot enough to work with — it cures beautifully in the brisk fall air.
Fall paving benefits:
Asphalt cools at the perfect rate for compaction
Ground is still warm
Humidity is lower
Plants are fully operational
Less rainfall compared to spring
October is often safer to pave than humid summer days.
If you’re thinking of paving, fall is the moment — and one of the last chances before freeze-thaw cycles begin.
MYTH #2: “All paving companies use the same asphalt.”
Truth: Not even close.
Asphalt quality varies dramatically.
Egan Paving uses:
DOT-certified hot mix
Region-specific formulations
High-performance binders
Proper gravel base blends for clay-heavy soil
Cheaper contractors often use:
Recycled asphalt (too much of it)
Soft mixes
Cheap aggregates
Low-binder “budget” blends
Material not suited for Upstate winters
In Albany, Colonie, and Schenectady, the wrong asphalt mix starts cracking within the FIRST winter.
MYTH #3: “A driveway is just asphalt — thickness doesn’t matter.”
Truth: Thickness is EVERYTHING.
This is the biggest scam used by traveling paving crews.
Your driveway should have:
6–8 inches of compacted crushed stone base
3 inches of binder
2 inches of topcoat
Cheap contractors?
→ 1.5–2 inches TOTAL.
→ No base.
→ No compaction.
→ No drainage plan.
You get what looks like a driveway… until it snows.
If someone won’t specify thickness in writing, walk away.
MYTH #4: “Sealcoating your driveway right after paving protects it.”
Truth: No — sealcoating too early RUINS new asphalt.
We hear this misconception constantly.
Sealcoating a fresh driveway:
blocks oils from curing
traps moisture
creates surface peeling
weakens the asphalt
causes early cracking
Correct rule:
Wait 6–12 months, then seal.
If anyone offers “fresh asphalt + sealcoat package,” that’s a massive red flag.
MYTH #5: “Fall rain ruins asphalt.”
Truth: Light rain is manageable — the base matters WAY more.
Paving crews monitor radar every hour.
A sprinkle or mist?
Not ideal, but manageable.
What actually ruins a paving job:
poor compaction
weak base
thin asphalt
groundwater issues
paving too late in the day in cold temps
Fall rain doesn’t kill the job — bad contractors do.
MYTH #6: “Any contractor can handle clay-heavy Capital Region soil.”
Truth: Albany & Colonie’s soil is different — and notorious.
The Capital Region has:
high clay content
moisture-rich soil
uneven freezing
pockets of soft earth
major drainage issues
You can’t treat Albany soil like Florida soil.
You can’t treat Colonie soil like Texas soil.
Local experience matters more here than almost anywhere else.
That’s why out-of-state crews fail so often — the soil eats their driveways alive within a year.
MYTH #7: “Fall paving is more expensive because it’s the end of the season.”
Truth: Fall is usually CHEAPER — until the freeze hits.
Contractors want to finish their season strong and keep crews booked.
Fall pricing is typically:
LOWER than spring
LOWER than early summer
LOWER than winter
VERY competitive
Right now, many local companies (including us) offer:
🍁 Fall specials
🍁 End-of-season deals
🍁 Last-call discounts
Because once the freeze comes?
Plants shut down
Fuel surcharges go up
Materials get scarce
Scheduling becomes limited
Fall = best pricing.
Winter = highest pricing.
Spring = long waitlists.
🏡 Bonus Myth Albany Homeowners Still Believe:
“If the top looks smooth, the driveway is good.”
Truth: Bad paving looks good for 48 hours.
Cheap driveways ALWAYS look smooth at first.
Then winter arrives.
Freeze–thaw cycles split it open.
Water infiltrates seams.
Thin asphalt sinks.
Base crumbles.
A good driveway is built from the bottom up — not the top down.
🧰 How Albany Homeowners Can Protect Themselves This Fall
1. Get three estimates — but compare BUILD, not price.
Thickness is more important than cost.
2. Ask where the crew came from.
If it’s not Albany, Colonie, or Schenectady… beware.
3. Always demand a written contract.
If they can’t provide one, that is the red flag.
4. Look for marked trucks.
Unmarked = risk.
5. Book BEFORE the freeze.
Prices rise — and quality drops — after October.
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📞 Ready to Demolish the Myths & Get the Truth?
When you want a driveway that survives Albany winters, you need a local crew who understands the soil, the weather, and the reality of paving in upstate New York.
That’s Egan Paving.
Family-owned.
Built local.
50 years strong.
👉 Schedule your fall estimate today:
https://www.eganpaving.net/contact
Residential Driveway Paving Across the Capital Region — Albany, Colonie, and Beyond
From Albany to Colonie and Schenectady, homeowners trust Egan Paving for long-lasting asphalt driveways. Discover our proven process and why it’s worth the investment.
Your driveway is the first thing people notice when they pull up to your home — and a cracked, uneven, or worn-out surface can drag down your curb appeal instantly. Beyond looks, a driveway is a major investment that should be built to last decades.
That’s where Egan Paving comes in. For more than 50 years, we’ve been the trusted choice for homeowners in Albany, Colonie, Guilderland, Schenectady, and Rotterdam. Our team specializes in building driveways that stand up to Capital Region winters, spring rains, and year-round traffic — without constant repairs.
Ready to upgrade your driveway? Request Your Free Quote Today →
The Albany Advantage
Albany homeowners face unique driveway challenges thanks to:
Freeze-thaw cycles that expand and contract asphalt
Clay-heavy soil that shifts under heavy weight
Urban layouts that limit space for drainage
Egan Paving’s Albany Expertise:
Thicker asphalt designed for cold climates
Proper grading for long-term stability
A track record of successful Albany driveways, from Pine Hills to Loudonville
Colonie & Guilderland — Spacious Driveways, Bigger Projects
Suburban neighborhoods in Colonie and Guilderland often feature longer, wider driveways. While these add convenience and curb appeal, they also require more planning and stronger construction methods.
Why Local Experience Matters:
Larger driveways need commercial-grade equipment
Curved or multi-tier layouts require custom grading and compaction
Without the right prep, these bigger projects can sink or crack prematurely
At Egan Paving, we’ve completed countless Colonie and Guilderland residential projects, tailoring solutions to fit both small cul-de-sac homes and large estate properties.
Schenectady & Rotterdam — Long-Standing Trust
In Schenectady and Rotterdam, we’ve built more than just driveways — we’ve built relationships. Homeowners here choose us again and again because they’ve seen the difference:
Stronger driveways that hold up year after year
Custom drainage systems to handle uneven terrain
Projects that balance function with neighborhood aesthetics
It’s why Egan Paving consistently ranks at the top for Schenectady driveway paving searches.
Our Proven Process for Residential Driveways
No matter where you live in the Capital Region, our process ensures a driveway built to last:
Inspection & Planning — Assessing soil, slope, and water flow.
Excavation & Base Prep — Removing weak layers and compacting stone.
Premium Asphalt Installation — Using DOT-approved mixes for regional weather.
Finishing & Edging — Crisp lines and proper thickness for durability.
Final Walkthrough & Warranty — We stand behind every driveway we build.
Related Blog: Avoid Common Paving Scams
Pro Tips: Choosing the Right Driveway Contractor
Before you hire a contractor in the Capital Region, ask these three questions:
1. Do You Offer a Warranty?
A professional company should provide clear guarantees.
2. Can I See Local Projects?
Egan Paving can show you Albany, Colonie, and Schenectady driveways we’ve completed recently.
3. How Do You Handle Drainage?
Proper drainage is non-negotiable — without it, even the best asphalt will fail.
Why the Capital Region Chooses Egan Paving
From Albany’s historic neighborhoods to Colonie’s suburban streets and Schenectady’s residential blocks, homeowners trust Egan Paving because we deliver more than asphalt — we deliver peace of mind. Our combination of local expertise, premium materials, and unmatched craftsmanship makes us the Capital Region’s paving leader.
📞 Schedule your residential driveway consultation today.