3 Tips For Repaving Your Driveway Or Parking Lot
Are you thinking of getting your driveway or parking lot repaved this year? If you live in the Santa Fe area, there are some things that you need to be aware of before starting your paving project. Here are some tips for making sure that your asphalt paving stands the test of time.
The time of year makes a difference.
In order for asphalt to cure properly, it needs a delicate balance of mild temperature, sunshine, and low humidity. Because the climate of Santa Fe and the surrounding area is quite humid, finding just the right time of year to begin a paving project may seem rather difficult. However, late spring is a great time of year for paving. The lower relative humidity, cooler weather, and ample amounts of sunshine during the months of April, May, and June make this time of year ideal for pouring asphalt.
Work in sections or plan a long weekend.
Asphalt takes time and sunshine to set up properly. It takes a couple of days for the pavement to dry and cure, and during that time, it is best that there are no vehicles or foot traffic traveling through the area. Because of this, it may be necessary to close up shop for the weekend in order to prevent someone from making prints in the newly poured asphalt. If your business already closes on the weekend, talk to your paving contractor about doing the work on a Friday or Saturday afternoon in order to minimize lost business time. Alternatively, you could have the paving contractor work on half of the lot at a time, making the other half accessible during the work period.
Sealcoating will prolong the life of your driveway or parking lot.
Sealcoating is the smooth, black tar that is spread over the top of the asphalt after the paving has been applied. It fills in any cracks and pockets in the asphalt that might cause damage to the surface over time. You can extend the life of your asphalt quite a bit by having the seal coating reapplied each year. However, be aware that having a seal coat applied does increase the amount of time that your asphalt will need to cure, so make sure to account for this.
By considering the weather, planning your paving time, and having seal coating applied, you can extend the life of your new driveway or parking lot, even in Santa Fe. Contact a local asphalt service like Armour Pavement Inc for more information.