At the foot of Mount Diablo

Asphalt Paving in Clayton, CA

Higher, wetter and hillier than the rest of East County, with driveways that climb.

Free on-site estimates
Itemized written quote: base depth and asphalt thickness listed
City and County right-of-way permits explained before work is scheduled

Driveways on the Slopes Below Mount Diablo

Asphalt paving in Clayton has to deal with slope. The town sits at the foot of Mount Diablo at about 390 feet, and many driveways climb from the street to the garage. On a sloped driveway, water picks up speed, carries base material out from under the edges and cuts channels along the sides. Good grading, curbs or swales to carry water away, and a well-compacted base keep a hillside driveway from washing out.

Wetter than the valley

Clayton averages about 20.12 inches of precipitation a year, more than the 13 inches typical of Antioch or Brentwood. It snowed on December 7, 2009, for the first time since the 1970s, but cold is rarely the problem: winter rain is. We seal cracks before the rainy season and pay extra attention to how runoff from the hillside reaches each driveway.

Oakhurst and the newer neighborhoods

Clayton was founded in 1857 by Joel Clayton and incorporated in 1964. Its land area more than doubled in 1987 through annexations including Keller Ranch, which became the Oakhurst Country Club development in the 1990s. Many of those driveways are now reaching the age where resurfacing or replacement is due.

Steep driveways

On steep grades, asphalt has to be placed and compacted carefully so it does not shove. We check whether the slope suits asphalt, explain traction in wet weather, and include trench drains or curbs where water needs controlling.

Planning a Clayton driveway

Because so many Clayton homes sit on slopes, we look at the whole path water takes: from the hillside above, across the driveway, and down to the street. On steeper driveways we recommend a slightly heavier base, careful compaction in short sections, and a surface texture that gives traction when wet. On flatter lots in the older parts of town near the historic downtown, the work is closer to a standard replacement. We also look at the transition at the street, where many Clayton driveways meet the gutter at a sharp angle that scrapes cars; regrading the last few feet can fix that without touching the approach. Clayton covers just 3.84 square miles with about 4,165 homes, so most jobs are residential and neighbors notice a well-built driveway.

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What to Know in Clayton

Elevation and setting. Clayton is at the foot of Mount Diablo at an elevation of 390 feet.
Rain. Average annual precipitation is 20.12 inches; the record high is 115 degrees and the record low 15.
Oakhurst annexation. Clayton's land area more than doubled in 1987 through annexations, including Keller Ranch, developed in the 1990s as the Oakhurst Country Club.
Founding. Joel Clayton and his brothers founded the town in 1857; it incorporated on March 18, 1964, partly to head off an annexation attempt by Concord.

Our Services in Clayton, CA

Clayton Questions

Can asphalt work on a steep Clayton driveway?

Usually. Asphalt has to be compacted carefully on grades, and drainage is critical. We look at the slope and tell you honestly whether asphalt or another surface fits.

Why do the edges of my hillside driveway keep breaking?

Most often because runoff is washing base material out from under them. Supporting the edges and redirecting water fixes it.

Do you resurface older Oakhurst driveways?

Yes, when the base is sound. If it is not, we explain why replacement is the better value.

My car scrapes where the driveway meets the street. Can you fix it?

Usually, by regrading the last section of the driveway on your side. Changes to the approach itself need City approval.

Is asphalt slippery on steep driveways?

New sealcoat can be slick when wet. Sand can be added to the sealer for traction on steep grades.

Free Estimates in Clayton, CA

Free estimates for asphalt paving in Clayton.

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