Properly placed and compacted asphalt appears somewhat porous to many people. This appearance is normal and will smooth with the kneading action of rubber tire traffic. It is also normal for the new asphalt to attract dirt immediately after placement, for water flow lines to be conspicuous and appear as stains, and for it to gray considerably in the first year or two following installation. However, new asphalt should not slough off and produce loose aggregate. It should also be relatively uniform in appearance without concentrated pockets of large aggregates. Both of these conditions can be indicative of improper workmanship and/or compaction, the most crucial element of quality asphalt placement. Whether it’s our own work or that of another contractor, we’re always happy to provide inspections and no-nonsense appraisals of quality.