Has your driveway seen better days? Is it looking worn out, cracked, and pitted? It may be time to give it the refresh that it needs.
Asphalt driveways typically last around 20 years, so it may be time for you to pave your driveway.
Read on to learn when the best time of year is to replace or repair your old driveway.
The Best Seasons to Pave Your Driveway
It may seem obvious that late spring and summer are considered the best paving weather, however, it is common to see construction crews doing paving jobs at any time of the year. The reason that late spring and summer are the best times to pave your driveway has to do with the temperatures of the air and driveway surface.
When paving old driveways and paving damaged driveways with asphalt, you have to be thoughtful of the temperature because asphalt is a hot mix. Asphalt itself must be kept at a temperature between 80°C and 135°C. Asphalt works best when the temperature outside is at least 10°C and above so that pavers can pour it, seal and smooth it before it cools.
Not only is summer the best time for paving because of the high temperatures, but also because of the drier weather. Laying asphalt on a rainy day is never a good idea for two reasons:
It will cause water damage to the base layers of the asphalt driveway
It can cause the asphalt to cool too quickly
When to Do Repairs
If you have damages in your driveway and are waiting for warmer weather to do repairs, don’t wait! Repairs should be done as soon as possible when you notice the damage. Even if it is the middle of winter, you will still be able to have your damages fixed.
Yes, the best time of year to use asphalt is in the summer, however, there are ways to use it in the winter as well. If you notice a deep crack in your driveway, or if your driveway develops a pothole, then you should call your residential driveway paving services to come and take a look. The professionals will help fix the problem - even if temporarily for the winter - so that you won’t have to worry about it getting worse.
For use in the winter, there is cold mix asphalt which doesn’t have to be kept hot. This way, even in below-freezing temperatures, you can repair your driveway for the time being. Once summer comes around, you can then fix it properly without having done more damage to your driveway than necessary.
Pave Your Driveway
Now that you know the time of year and weather that is best to pave your driveway in, it’s time to look at the quality of your driveway. If it’s looking a little lacklustre, it’s time to call the professionals here at Curtis Paving.
Call us today to talk about your options for a new driveway in North & West Vancouver, Vancouver and Burnaby !