By Jeremy Hendricks
•
February 14, 2024
We know your paving project is an investment, you want it to last and so don’t we! That’s why we put together this protection plan to help prolong the life of your asphalt pavement. Asphalt needs time to cure and harden Wait at least 3 full days before allowing traffic on your asphalt (walking is ok) Extreme heat slows down the curing process so longer is better when we see those extreme highs. On those super-hot days you can water down your driveway to cool it down and temporarily harden the asphalt. Although every effort is made to avoid puddles in your driveway sometimes they are inevitable depending on natural slope and drainage of your ground. (Sorry we can only fight mother nature so much.) Occasionally you may notice soap suds in your new asphalt. Don’t worry this is a chemical reaction due to the diesel fuel in the blacktop and chlorine found in some water. (Chemistry is interesting) Full curing takes 6-12 months so your asphalt will remain soft and pliable until then You want to be careful with your everyday use during this period to avoid damaging your driveway Don’t park in the same spot during this curing process. Do not turn your steering wheel back and forth when your car is not moving. Take your time pulling in and out of the parking lot. Excessive Weight should be avoided until the 12 months is over Keep Heavy Equipment and machinery off the asphalt for the first year If you have other projects you want to complete in the same season requiring big trucks to be on your driveway (i.e. Concrete install) do it first! Storing a camper? Place a piece of plywood under the tongue jack and tires Avoid using jack stands or car ramps without wood underneath to help distribute the weight. Avoid Driving on the edges of your pavement 1. Residential Driveways: we suggest building up the edges with top soil. In most cases if you get the top soil prior we can back fill for you while we are there. (Just ask our estimator) Parking Lots: We can install a curb Your asphalt may look smoother in some areas than in others Asphalt has various sizes of stone, sand and aggregates which cause a varied texture of the surface. Also areas that have been raked and spread with hand tools may appear different in texture than those done with the machines. (We are good at what we do, but we are still human) Avoid Gasoline Oil Anti freeze and other fluid spills These will dilute the liquid asphalt in your blacktop and can cause damage Seal Coat 12 months after your paving job. Call us next year, we will seal coat once the blacktop is fully cured Call us 2-3 years after your seal coat and we will come see if it needs to be sealed again and possibly crack filled.