There are certain things to consider when you want to pave your new asphalt driveway or completely replace an existing one. You may want to determine some favorable factors that may contribute to the driveway’s durability and performance. The most important thing to consider is the weather and its long-term effect on your driveway.
Paving your driveway at the wrong time of the year can only result in early degradation, requiring consistent maintenance. On the other hand, installing an asphalt driveway during the perfect time of year will help you spend less because everything(from start to finishing) will be done under supporting/favorable weather conditions.
So, what is the cheapest time of year to pave a driveway? Working with asphalt is best when the air and surface temperatures are 70 ° F and above. Therefore, the best time may sometimes vary, based on the region in which you live.
The cheapest time of year to pave a driveway is usually:
- Late spring until early fall
- Any time in the summer
- Fall before the weather gets too cold.
Late spring until early fall
It is great to pave your driveway during late spring, when temperatures rise above 70°F until early fall. The high temperature would ensure that the asphalt driveway’s paving will not harden too quickly and provide the contractor enough time to smooth it properly.
Early spring is usually accompanied by precipitation or melting snow; hence, it is best to put off your paving project until late spring and early fall when the weather conditions are dryer.
In addition, wet weather can also render the construction of asphalt driveway more complicated, as water can penetrate the material, making it require more time to set. Warmer air temperatures between late spring and early fall help keep the mix at a steady temperature. It helps it preserve a flexible consistency.
Any time in the summer
Paving asphalt driveway during summertime enables the surface coating to cure out before winter arrives. This will also make the sealing more durable than before. When there is less humidity, the seal coating often solidifies more.
Summertime provides the optimal conditions for improving your driveway and parking lot. The warm weather, prolonged hours of sunshine, and high overnight temperatures establish the best possible environment for the asphalt’s fast curing. This is because asphalt performs better in hot weather when laid down, improving the overall process speed.
Besides this, it is easier to work in the summertime compared to any other time of year. Summer is perfect for installing a new driveway or fixing an existing one, so capitalize on the summer heat to guarantee that your next driveway project is successful.
Fall before the weather gets too cold
Many people assume that paving a driveway during the fall is unsafe and can easily cause the driveway to deteriorate. But frankly, it all depends on where you live and the temperatures around you at night. The seal coating curing process requires a night temperature of at least 50 degrees.
Fall is an excellent time of year to carry out your pavement project. Also, being proactive with your driveway project can save some money for you in the long run.
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Why does the time of year you pave your driveway matter?
You may be wondering why the time of year to pave driveways matters. The truth is, Warmer weather holds the hot mix asphalt relatively stable and flexible for long periods. A temperature between 175 ° F and 275 ° F must be maintained by a hot asphalt mix to compact and set perfectly.
You will find it tough to lay asphalt during winter because once you remove asphalt from the truck it is packed in, it will begin to toughen quicker, making it harder to pour during usage. The underlying asphalt will loosen and even break free from the binder if the ground is frozen.
It is easier to pour, spread, and smooth the asphalt in warmer weather until it cools, bringing you optimal outcomes. Warmer weather offers your driveway contractor all the time they need to do the best work possible. As the asphalt cools, it will then solidify uniformly and offer you a durable surface.
How can weather and temperature affect the paving of your driveway?
Possible Impacts of weather and temperature on your driveway are:
- Deterioration of the asphalt’s structure
- Crack formation
- Slab curling
- Expansion and contraction of the driveway
Irrespective of how durable and flexible your asphalt driveway is, extreme weather conditions can still impact it over time, like most materials. Conditions varying from intense sun rays to heavy rains will cause the asphalt’s structure to deteriorate.
Also, temperature changes that result in thawing and freezing can have an impact on asphalt. In general, a rise in temperature causes the driveway to expand, while a fall in temperature results in driveway contractions. When the weather becomes cold, it is possible for such temperature changes to lead to significant crack formation in a rigid and flexible driveway.
Furthermore, if the driveway is too stiff, it is possible for slab curling to happen. Although minor contraction and expansion are not serious threats to pavement durability, high-temperature shifts can cause significant damage.
Cracks on asphalt driveway from the earlier time can lead to water entering the structure and substantially weakening the bond between the structure of the pavement and the asphalt binder. Water that flows down into the pavement’s structure due to rain, groundwater, or water flow can be soaked up by the pavement and cause it to deteriorate at the connection between the aggregate of the pavement and the asphalt binder.
Other factors that can impact the cost of paving your driveway
Besides all the mentioned factors, other factors can impact the cost of your asphalt driveway pavement. There are:
- Paving thickness
- Driveway shape/slop
Paving thickness
Generally, a 4-inch depth is usually sufficient to design a durable asphalt driveway. However, a full-depth asphalt of 5 to 6 inches ensures a stable and solid driveway pavement ideal for a wide variety of loads and climates. And as a general rule, heavy loads will need thicker asphalt layers, leading to higher final costs.
Driveway shape/slope
Significant percentages of the residential driveway are usually rectangular; however, some homeowners choose to get an arched, curved, or rounded front drive. In these cases, the excavation cycle can become complex and time-consuming. Ultimately, this will be factored into your asphalt driveway’s final expense. In most cases, you should expect to pay extra for driveways with designs that are not standard sizes of styles.
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How to protect your asphalt driveway from the impact of seasonal changes
- Resealing every few years
- Early fixing of cracks and holes
Obviously, conditions such as heat, rain, or cold can cause severe damage to your asphalt driveway, like any other material. You can prevent your asphalt driveway from serious damage by sealing it every few years to protect the surface layer. This will help prevent water from entering the asphalt and provide an additional protection layer against high temperatures.
Furthermore, you should immediately fix any cracks and holes that develop on your driveway because they not only affect the property’s curb appeal and create a safety hazard for road users but the cracks and holes can cause the driveway to deteriorate over time.
The sooner you patch even the slightest crack, the less likely that the asphalt will be breached by water and that the crack will expand even more.
Conclusion
Like any other project, asphalt pavement requires proper planning and examining many factors to help you stay within your budget. If you need help determining the cheapest time of year to pave your driveway, reach out to the experts at Paving Finder.
Choosing the right time of year for your driveway project will not only contribute to its longevity but can also save cost. Furthermore, consistent maintenance can help your driveway to last longer than you expected.