Asphalt paving has an impressive, modern appearance and a rich, luxurious dark color. With the proper care, an asphalt pavement can be functional and beautiful for 20 or 30 years. However, without sufficient care, you could be forced to tear out and rebuild your pavement in less than seven or eight years. Although it is necessary to provide your pavement with regular maintenance throughout its life, the first few years after its installation are critical to its longevity. Contractors recommend steps that customers should and should not take if they want their pavements to have long, healthy lives.
What Should Customers Do Immediately After the Completion of an Asphalt Paving Project?
It is common for customers to expect that they can begin using their new pavement as soon as their Birmingham asphalt paving company completes the installation. However, asphalt paving in Birmingham needs at least 24 hours to cure before the pavement can be opened for vehicle traffic. In some situations, asphalt paving contractors recommend waiting 48 to 72 hours before giving vehicles access to the pavement.
What Should Paving Customers Do for the First Year After the Installation of a Pavement?
The rate at which asphalt paving cures depends on a number of variables, including the weather at the time of installation, the type of asphalt mix used, and the thickness of the asphalt. However, most asphalt paving Birmingham contractors agree that, under certain circumstances, it can take 10 to 12 months for a new pavement to cure completely. Until then, the pavement is more vulnerable to damage than it will be later. Therefore, the contractor providing your asphalt paving service will probably recommend that you do the following.
1. Try to avoid leaving heavy weights in place for more than a day or two. This includes vehicles, palletized materials, and trailers. Move them around frequently to prevent them from inflicting damage.
2. Kickstands and trailer tongues can poke holes in fresh asphalt paving in Birmingham. Place blocks of wood or pieces of plywood underneath trailer jacks, kickstands, and trailer tongues.
3. Promptly clean up gas, oil, transmission fluid, and other petroleum-based products that vehicles have leaked onto your pavement. These liquids will soften asphalt, and the soft spots can quickly turn into potholes. Inspect your pavement monthly to locate and remove new deposits.
4. Sealcoat your pavement within 12 months of its installation, but do not sealcoat it until the curing process is complete. Your asphalt paving company can advise you on the waiting time, but it is normally between two and four months.
What Should Asphalt Paving Customers Not Do After the Installation of a Pavement?
To reach its maximum life expectancy, an asphalt pavement will require a certain amount of attention throughout its existence.
1. Do not neglect routine maintenance. Your paving contractor can recommend the appropriate maintenance plan for your pavement. However, most asphalt paving contractors recommend repairing cracks every six months, sealcoating every two to four years, and keeping the pavement clean.
2. Do not allow your pavement to be overloaded. Your Birmingham paving company designed your pavement to support a certain volume of traffic consisting of vehicles of certain weights. Significantly changing the number of vehicles or their weights can lead to the premature failure of your pavement.
3. Do not ignore potholes, cracks, or other pavement breaks. Breaks in your pavement will allow water to enter and travel throughout the structure. Once water reaches the base layers, it erodes them, weakening and destabilizing the foundation upon which your pavement relies for support.
The Surface Masters would be happy to answer any additional questions you have about caring for your asphalt pavement. We offer an extensive range of services to clients in the greater Birmingham area, including asphalt paving, crack sealing, asphalt repairs, pavement markings, milling and reclamation, sealcoating, and concrete curbing. We are an experienced paving company with an exemplary reputation for service, workmanship, and integrity. You can request a free quote by emailing Info@TheSurfaceMasters.com, calling 470-557-8985, or completing our online form.
