New Asphalt "Cure" Guidelines

NEW ASPHALT SURFACE INFORMATION

Frequently asked questions about the surface, appearance and future maintenance

Whether your pavement is newly built, or an overlay on top of an old driveway, it is between 1 1/2 - 3 inches of hot mix asphalt. The pavement contains aggregate (stone), asphalt (liquid binder), and a variety of additives designed to make it last longer. A properly constructed and maintained asphalt pavement can last more than 25 years. It is often said that asphalt pavement, properly installed, virtually NEVER wears out. Instead, it is "ruined" by not maintaining it.

· When can I drive on the new asphalt?

We have a common policy of no driving on the asphalt for 10 days and no parking on the asphalt for 14 days. This means you can access your garage after 10 days but no parking on it for 2 weeks. During this time the sun is drawing the natural oils out of the asphalt to the surface making it the most soft during the cure process. It will take one full year for your asphalt to completely cure.

· Why does some of the surface look “rocky” compared to other areas?

For the most part, your asphalt surface has been laid with a paving machine. The areas that look “rocky” are areas that had to be worked by hand. In these areas that had handwork done, the rock will come to the surface more. This does not mean that the driveway is weak in this area but rather shows the strength that the driveway has. Asphalt is made up mostly of aggregate ( ½” – ¾” rock) of which gives the asphalt its strength and asphalt binder to hold the rock together. Sealcoating is recommended to smooth out these areas.

· What if cracks develop in the asphalt surface?

It is common after an asphalt surface is laid to see some fine, surface stress or tears. These tears do not continue through the surface and are only on the top of the surface generally from the roller compaction. Sealcoating will smooth out these areas as with any “rocky” areas. Larger cracks may appear also. In Minnesota, the frost penetrates the ground between 3-6 feet. The ground will then heave often times as much as 1 to 2 inches. Asphalt will give to a certain extent and then crack. No matter how strong the asphalt pavement is constructed, the forces of nature will always be stronger.

· What is the lines and ridges I see running up and down the driveway?

After the asphalt surface is laid, we compact the hot asphalt with rollers. Our last roller used is called a finish roller. When rolling up and down the surface, the edge of the drum on the roller will leave some slight ridges. Marks left from the finish roller will disappear as the asphalt is compacted by routinely driving over them.

· I waited 2 weeks to park on the pavement and I now see tire marks?

On hot days there will always be the potential that tire marks will appear. As previously stated, asphalt pavement takes 1 full year to cure and even after that, will soften up on a hot day. Tire marks will go away with continuous compaction by routine driving. Do not turn your tires on the asphalt surface if the car is not moving. This will cause the asphalt to bunch up.

· Should I sealcoat my driveway and if so, when?

We suggest sealcoating the driveway 60-90 days after installation to prevent the sun from oxidizing the oils out of the pavement and smooth out the surface. It will also prevent petroleum based products from damaging the asphalt.

DO NOT PUT SHARP OBJECTS, BICYCLE KICKSTANDS, LAWN CHAIRS, GRILLS, TRAILER HITCHES, JACKS AND ANYTHING ELSE HEAVY OR SHARP ON THE SURFACE. THEY WILL PUNCTURE THE SURFACE AND WILL NOT BE COVERED BY WARRANTY. HEAVY VEHICLES SUCH AS GARBAGE TRUCKS, TRAILERS AND CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT WILL ALSO DO DAMAGE. ASPHALT PAVEMENTS ARE "FLEXIBLE" PAVEMENTS, WHICH MEANS THAT THEY WILL ADAPT THEIR SHAPE TO THE SURFACE BENEATH THEM, AND TO OBJECTS PLACED ON THEM.

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