Why You Should Lay Asphalt in the Summer
You might assume that it wouldn’t matter when you decide to pave your driveway.
But did you know that temperature can impact asphalt paving?
It’s essential to get the job done right, and spring or summer are the perfect seasons to do so.
What is the Optimal Temperature for Paving?
The ideal temperature for asphalt paving services is no less than 50 degrees F.
In some cases, the temperature can be as low of 40 degrees F, but for the best results, you’ll want the weather to be on the warmer side of the spectrum.
Summer is a great time to install asphalt because there is also less rain, and asphalt cannot undergo installation during times of high precipitation.
Summer is also an excellent time for asphalt paving installation because everybody in your residential area is probably on summer vacation.
With this in mind, the potential for delays and neighborhood inconvenience will go way down.
Why Should Asphalt be Installed in Warm Weather?
Think of asphalt pavement as powerful liquid glue; it is stone mixed with liquid asphalt- which gives way to its dark appearance.
Liquid asphalt is a petroleum based product and when it is hot, a paving specialist can work with its malleable liquids.
You’ll want your parking lot or driveway to be beautifully paved.
However, if this product gets cold, it immediately begins to harden up and become difficult to work with.
In fact, asphalt production plants heat-up the asphalt on-site and immediately load it into the truck just before paving a site.
The job has to happen quickly and with the right climate conditions.
Essentially asphalt needs to be warm because:
- Hot asphalt is easy to work with, and it enables a smooth and uniform texture of the surface.
- Warmer asphalt gives way to tighter joints. The joints (or seams) in your driveway can be a fragile place if not correctly landscaped, and hot asphalt makes it easier for the joints to come together.
- To appropriate compact specs, asphalt must be a specific temperature. In the pavement’s lifespan, correct compaction is highly essential.
- Paving your driveway or parking lot is a significant investment, and you’ll want to last a long time. So it’s essential to know when the best time to pave is.
Pave Away
If you pave your driveway or parking lot during spring, summer, or fall, when the temperature is above 50 degrees F, you will get the best results.
When paved in warm weather, your pavement will be smoother and look cleaner.
It will also have fewer cracks and seams because your paving specialists have more time to work with warm material.
Did we mention that correct compaction and smooth seams lead to a longer lifespan for your driveway?
If you have any questions or are looking to have your parking lot or driveway paved, give Limitless Paving a call today. It is summertime, and we’ll be on our way!
