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It is best to wait at least 24 hours before driving on the new surface. We often advise that you wait longer during hot weather. Following installation, be sure to follow a regular preventative maintenance plan, including sealcoating and crack filling, to keep your asphalt looking its best.
How long does it take for asphalt to dry before you can drive on it?
1. Wait at least 3 full days before allowing traffic on the new asphalt. Since asphalt needs time to harden and cure, usually 6-12 months, your parking lot or driveway will remain soft and pliable until then.
What happens if you drive on asphalt too soon?
DO NOT Drive on Fresh Asphalt for at Least 24 Hours If you drive on freshly laid asphalt too soon you could cause ruts and dips to appear. Ruts and dips will hold water and debris which will cause additional damage to your asphalt.
Is it OK to rain on new asphalt?
In general, asphalt cannot be installed when it is raining. When rain comes into contact with fresh asphalt, it causes the oil to rise to the surface which can affect the curing time and the finished product. If asphalt is paved while it’s raining, it can reduce the overall quality of the asphalt.
How soon after asphalt is laid should it be sealed?
After laying asphalt, you should wait at least 30 days before sealing your commercial parking lot. For residential parking lots, it is best to wait 90 days. Otherwise, you risk sealing your new asphalt before it is hard enough to withstand elements like power steering.
What temperature does asphalt cure?
Asphalt starts to cure once it cools, typically at about 220 degrees Fahrenheit; once it reaches 185 degrees, asphalt becomes too stiff and dense for proper compaction.
Does asphalt cure in cold weather?
The Ideal Temp for Asphalt Installation During installation, cold temperatures can prevent asphalt from properly binding which causes raveling. Extreme heat can cause new asphalt to melt, slough, bruise and won’t allow asphalt to properly cure. Both extreme cold and extreme heat make for a poor asphalt installation.
Why is my new asphalt driveway not smooth?
If your asphalt isn’t smooth and there are loose rocks scattered over the surface, or if you can kick loose small bits of asphalt or aggregate, it’s very likely your pavement wasn’t compacted properly. Asphalt compaction is extremely important because it removes the air from your asphalt.
Why do they put sand on new asphalt?
Asphalt cement is the binder, or glue, that holds together the sand and stones that make up a blacktop drive, road or parking lot. The stones and sand in blacktop are immune to UV damage from the sun.
How do you care for a new asphalt driveway?
Caring For Your New Asphalt Driveway Do not drive on your new driveway for 3-5 days. Wait up to 14 days before parking on your new driveway. And when you do, only park on it during the cool part of the day.
How long do you have to stay off fresh asphalt?
Normally, 24-hours is all that is required to use your new asphalt surface. In very warm weather, we recommend staying off the fresh asphalt for 1 – 2 days, as the surface cools.
Should you water fresh asphalt?
Even when cured, asphalt can sometimes soften in extremely hot weather and harden as temperatures fall. To temporarily harden hot asphalt, you can water it down with a garden hose. Do not be alarmed if soapsuds appear. Large, heavy vehicles can depress your new asphalt and create ruts in your new blacktop.
Should you seal new asphalt driveway?
For starters, never seal a new asphalt driveway. Asphalt needs a minimum of six months for the oils in it to evaporate. If you apply driveway sealer before your asphalt has time to cure, it won’t achieve the necessary hardness and all your work will be for naught.
How often should asphalt driveway be sealed?
Asphalt driveways should be resealed about once every three years to maintain their appearance and protect them from cracks and oil damage. As with concrete, finish the repairs, allow time for curing and clean before sealing. Asphalt sealer comes in 5-gallon drums that sell from about $8 to $20.
Is oil based driveway sealer better?
Unlike water-based driveway sealers, oil-based varieties have a longer cure time and distinct odor that is quite strong and often lingers in the air for days after the sealing is complete. Oil-based sealers also contain VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, which pollute the environment.
What time of year is best to pave a driveway?
The best time of year to pave asphalt is during the spring and summer months because the best temperature for hot paving is generally 70 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. It’s possible to lay asphalt at temperatures as low as 50 degrees, but doing so isn’t likely to bring about the best results possible.
How hot is asphalt on a 100 degree day?
On a sunny day, asphalt can quickly heat up, even if the air temperature doesn’t feel super hot to you. For example, if it’s 85 degrees, then the blacktop temperature is 110. If the air temperature is over 100 degrees, then the blacktop can reach 160 degrees.
How cold is too cold for asphalt?
During initial application, the asphalt should still be at least 220 to 290-degrees Fahrenheit. If the asphalt dips below approximately 185-degrees Fahrenheit before compaction is complete, its consistency stiffens up too much to finish the job properly.
