How long after asphalt paving is completed can I drive on it?
The length of time you should avoid driving on asphalt varies based on the job and weather conditions, but in most cases no more than 24 hours. If the weather is especially hot, which is thankfully rare in the Seattle area, we may recommend 48 hours for proper curing.
Can asphalt be poured when it’s raining?
It really depends on the asphalt paving contractors, their experience and the asphalt paving machines, materials and equipment they are using. We often have to deal with rainy or drizzly weather and can complete jobs even if the ground isn’t completely dry. The severity of rain and ground saturation may play a role in whether your job can be completed on schedule. We always strive to keep to our deadlines but never pave when the end result may not meet our high expectations.
Can it get too cold to perform asphalt paving?
In some parts of the world, temperature can impact when asphalt paving can be performed, but temperature is rarely an issue for Lakeridge Paving Company. One of the main variables that impacts whether asphalt paving can be performed at a given temperature is the thickness of asphalt being poured. The thinner a layer of asphalt is, the more quickly it needs to be compacted because it will lose heat at a faster rate than a thicker layer of asphalt. Deeper asphalt pours can be performed in cooler temperatures than shallow asphalt paving.
Why should I consider asphalt paving instead of concrete paving for my driveway?
Asphalt is far more affordable, is much easier and cheaper to repair if cracks or potholes form, has a much shorter curing time and holds up better under heavy loads and temperature swings. Although some concrete companies insist a concrete driveway will last longer, concrete cracks and other issues can’t be easily repaired and may require significant tear out and concrete repaving to repair the driveway to your aesthetic and quality standards.
How long will asphalt last?
Under normal conditions an asphalt parking lot can be expected to last 10 to 20 years, while an asphalt driveway can last 20 to 40 years. There are a lot of variables that can affect the lifespan of asphalt parking lots, driveways and roads, including traffic, quality of the base and materials, climate and frequency of maintenance.
Can asphalt driveways or parking lots be affordably repaired?
Asphalt repairs are much more affordable than concrete repairs and can often be performed quickly with minimal impact to your home or business.
What are asphalt overlays? Should I get one for my asphalt driveway or parking lot?
An asphalt overlay is an alternative to complete repaving and may be an appropriate course of action for your asphalt driveway or parking lot depending on the condition of your existing asphalt. It essentially entails pouring and compacting a new layer of asphalt onto your existing driveway or parking lot. An asphalt overlay is more affordable than complete repaving, but an asphalt paving specialist really needs to perform a detailed inspection of your asphalt before making a determination on the feasibility of a successful asphalt overlay project.
How long will my customers and employees be affected if I get my business’s parking lot refinished, repaved or have an overlay installed?
The impact to your home or business is almost entirely based on the asphalt contractor you choose. Lakeridge Paving Company is committed to minimizing disruptions for our clients, which is why we do our best to schedule around your hours of operation. Depending on the job, customers and employees may need to refrain from using the parking lot for 24 hours.
What’s the difference between cold mix and hot mix asphalt?
Hot mix asphalt is the type primarily used by professional asphalt contractors because in almost every repair scenario it provides better, longer-lasting results. Hot mix must be heated before being applied, whereas cold mix can be purchased at most hardware stores and applied without heating preparation.
Cold mix asphalt is a cheaper, do-it-yourself option that some home and business owners use to fill potholes or other asphalt damages temporarily. If you do patch a pothole with cold mix asphalt, you’ll likely want to schedule professional repair in the near future so the damage can be properly patched with hot mix asphalt.
How do you remove and dispose of old asphalt?
Lakeridge Paving is committed to leaving every job clean, which is why we thoroughly collect, grind and remove any torn-out asphalt and haul it off your property. We are also dedicated to making the asphalt paving process as environmentally friendly and sustainable as possible, which is why we recycle as much asphalt as we can for use on future jobs.
What type of maintenance does asphalt require?
Asphalt can be a great long-term investment when it’s properly maintained. Annual preventative maintenance, such as crack filling, is one of the best ways to ensure an asphalt driveway or parking lot lasts as long as possible. Asphalt sealers should also be applied to paved surfaces every two years. It’s important that potholes and cracks are repaired relatively quickly after they begin forming to prevent them from spreading and creating a bigger problem that can become more expensive to repair in the future.
Can asphalt repair or asphalt paving be done during winter?
Asphalt paving in the Seattle and Puget Sound area can be performed during winter when the asphalt contractors have the right equipment and knowhow. Colder temperatures require asphalt paving companies to work faster, because it’s essential for the asphalt to be properly compacted before the asphalt mix cools down too much. Lakeridge Paving Company uses the right tools, experienced manpower and tightly coordinated techniques to perform reliable asphalt paving during all types of weather conditions.
What is asphalt sealcoating?
Asphalt sealcoating is a preventative treatment intended to ensure maximum asphalt pavement longevity. Asphalt crack filler is used to seal any cracks or potholes that are beginning to form, then a liquid seal coating solution is sprayed over the repaired surface of your asphalt parking lot or driveway. The sealer helps waterproof asphalt surfaces, slows oxidation and makes asphalt paving more resilient to other potentially damaging fluids, like gas or motor oil.
When should asphalt sealcoating be applied?
It’s generally recommended to have sealcoating professionally applied every two years. However, sealcoating shouldn’t be applied immediately after paving. Ideally, you should let your newly paved parking lot, road or driveway cure for a full year before sealcoating it.
Get Answers to Any Other Asphalt Paving Questions You Have
If you have any other questions about asphalt paving in Washington, contact the commercial and residential asphalt paving experts at Lakeridge Paving Company by calling 888-403-8290. Whether you have questions about our processes, need recommendations on repairs or maintenance or need to schedule installation, our team will be happy to help.