Driveway and lot paving removal
Asphalt and Parking Lot Removal in Los Gatos
We remove worn asphalt driveways, shared private roads and small commercial parking lots in and around Los Gatos, and recycle the material instead of dumping it.
Asphalt Driveway Removal on Los Gatos Hillsides
Asphalt is common on the long driveways that climb to homes in the Los Gatos hills, especially off Kennedy Road, Shannon Road and the roads toward Lexington Reservoir. Over time it cracks, slides, gets lifted by roots and breaks down at the edges where water runs off. When patching no longer works, the old surface has to come out before a new driveway can go in.
Hillside driveways are hard to work on because they are often the only access to the house and sometimes shared with neighbors. We remove them in sections where possible, keep a usable path open, and plan truck movements so we are not backing loaded trucks down a steep, narrow road. Drainage is a big part of a new driveway's life, so we point out low spots and failed culverts as we go.
Parking Lot and Private Road Asphalt Removal
Commercial parking lots in Los Gatos and Campbell are usually small, behind offices, shopping centers or churches. When a lot is rebuilt or the property is redeveloped, the asphalt either gets ground in place or broken out and removed with the base. Grinding works well when the base is sound and only the surface is failing. Full removal is needed when the base is soft or the grades are changing.
Up in the mountains, some homes are reached by private roads maintained by a road association. Rebuilding a section of a shared road means agreeing on scope with the neighbors and keeping access open for residents and emergency vehicles. We stage the work so the road never stays closed longer than planned.
Grinding, Recycling and Base Repair
Asphalt grindings rarely need to see a landfill. Recyclers turn them into road base or mix them back into fresh paving, so they can be reused as base material or blended into new paving. We keep it separate from soil, concrete and trash so it can go to an asphalt recycler instead of a landfill, which also helps your project meet CALGreen construction waste rules.
Once the asphalt is gone, the base underneath tells the real story. Soft spots, clay pumping up through the base and buried debris are common under older Los Gatos driveways. We dig out failed areas, add and compact base rock, and leave a grade that drains so your paving contractor has a solid foundation to work on.
Permits, Trees and Fire Access for Asphalt Work
Work in the public right-of-way, such as a driveway apron or curb cut, usually needs an encroachment permit from the Town of Los Gatos or the city that covers the address. Large regrading of a hillside driveway can also trigger grading review. On unincorporated mountain parcels, Santa Clara County handles those permits. We check before we start.
Many driveways run under the drip line of protected oaks. We avoid deep digging near roots where the arborist says to, and work by hand where needed. In fire hazard zones, driveways also serve as fire access routes, so we keep them passable and leave the finished grade wide enough for fire trucks as required.
What Our Asphalt Removal Includes in Los Gatos
Asphalt Saw-Cut, Grind or Full Removal
We saw-cut clean edges where asphalt meets surfaces that are staying, then grind or break out the old pavement depending on the condition of the base and what you plan to put in its place.
Asphalt Recycling and Haul-Off
Removed asphalt is kept clean and hauled to a recycler. You get records showing where the material went, which supports your permit and green building paperwork.
Base Repair for New Driveway Paving
Soft or contaminated base is dug out and replaced with compacted base rock. We set a grade that drains away from the house and toward existing drainage.
Access Kept Open During Driveway Removal
On single-access hillside driveways and shared roads, we work in stages so residents and emergency vehicles can still get through while the old surface comes out.
Asphalt Removal: Job Site Photos
Asphalt and Parking Lot Removal Across Los Gatos
Demolition FAQs
Los Gatos Asphalt Driveway Removal FAQ
How is asphalt removal priced on a Los Gatos driveway?
Area, thickness, whether it is ground or fully removed, base condition, slope, truck access and haul distance. A long, steep hillside driveway costs more per foot than a flat parking lot.
Can the old asphalt be recycled?
Yes. Clean asphalt is recycled into base or new paving. Keeping it free of dirt and trash makes that possible and lowers disposal cost.
Should I grind or remove my driveway?
When the rock under the pavement is firm and the slope drains well, a grind and overlay may do the job. If the driveway is sinking, cracking in alligator patterns or draining poorly, full removal and base repair is the better choice.
Can you keep the driveway open while you work?
On most jobs, yes. We remove and rebuild in sections, or schedule the full closure for a short window agreed with you and any neighbors who share the road.
Do you remove asphalt in Blossom Hill and Campbell as well as the hills?
Yes. Flat driveways in Blossom Hill and small lots behind Campbell offices are quicker jobs than mountain roads, since full-size trucks can usually pull right up. The same recycling and base repair steps apply, and the permit, if one is needed, comes from the town or the City of Campbell.
Demolition quote
Price Your Los Gatos Asphalt Removal
Give us the length of the driveway or the size of the lot, plus how steep the approach is. You will hear back within a day.
- Permits
- Demolition
- Haul-off