What Is the Best Time of Year to Pave an Asphalt Driveway?

What Is the Best Time of Year to Pave an Asphalt Driveway?

Are you looking to pave an asphalt driveway? If so, timing matters. While other materials aren’t as heavily affected by temperature and humidity, asphalt is. Do it when conditions aren’t ideal, and you may compromise your pavement’s long-term strength and reliability. Here’s what you need to know.

When Do Contractors Prefer to Pave an Asphalt Driveway?

The best time to get an asphalt driveway is from late spring to early fall. In West Virginia, asphalt driveway contractors typically schedule projects from May to September, with the summer season often the busiest period.

In other parts of the country, things are different. In the South, asphalt driveway companies have a much wider window, and the warmest parts of the country often have good conditions year-round. Meanwhile, the further north you go, the more the window of opportunity shrinks.

What Makes Late Spring to Early Fall Ideal?

It comes down to stable warmth. Paving contractors in WV must work quickly to lay and compact asphalt before allowing it to cure for up to 72 hours. When conditions are warm and dry, teams can work more efficiently to construct your West Virginia asphalt driveway. However, outside this window, conditions can present several challenges.

How Do Air and Ground Temperatures Affect Driveway Paving Projects?

Paving contractors typically wait until air and ground conditions are at 50 degrees and rising. Because your West Virginia asphalt driveway needs several days to cure, the 50-degree threshold must be maintained throughout the cooler night hours.

In the spring, the weather is warming up. Late in the season, paving contractors in WV can start taking on projects without worrying about sudden cold spells. In the summer, temperatures hover around 70 degrees, which is perfect for asphalt paving.

The reason why temperature matters so much is that your asphalt driveway contractor needs to lay and compact the material before it cools too much. When it arrives at your property, hot asphalt is around 300 degrees Fahrenheit. The binders are molten, creating a highly workable texture.

During a driveway paving project, it’s a race against the clock. Teams must compact the material thoroughly before it cools to around 180 degrees. At that point, the binder begins to solidify, making the asphalt unworkable and impossible to compact.

If temperatures are below 50 degrees, the asphalt will cool too quickly, giving asphalt driveway companies very little time to ensure that your pavement is dense, compacted, and stable.

Can Ground Frost Get in the Way When Contractors Pave an Asphalt Driveway?

Ground frost will ruin your new asphalt driveway. Not only does frost cool the hot asphalt too quickly, but it also prevents different asphalt courses from bonding. This can result in surface peeling and crumbling.

In West Virginia, ground frosts can occur well into April. That’s why most paving contractors wait until May. It’s also what makes paving during the winter season impossible. Having frost appear can lead to costly mistakes.

Can Asphalt Driveway Companies Work in the Rain?

Spring and summer may be great times to construct an asphalt driveway due to warmer temperatures. However, those seasons are also some of the rainiest in West Virginia.

The best paving contractors in WV won’t assume that the warmer weather makes it OK to start projects. They’ll keep a close eye on the weather forecast and schedule construction around storms.

Rain and high humidity levels can be disastrous for driveway paving. Asphalt contains bitumen, which is a petroleum byproduct. Water and oil do not mix.

If a sudden rainstorm hits, water can cause the asphalt’s oil content to rise to the surface. That weakens the bond and compromises the material’s overall integrity. Plus, it rapidly cools the asphalt.

Even high humidity can be an issue for your West Virginia asphalt driveway. While moisture in the air doesn’t always harm asphalt the way rain does, it can create curing issues. Rather than taking just 72 hours to cure, paving contractors in WV may need even longer before clearing your driveway for traffic.

Unlike other paving contractors that don’t mind cutting corners or taking unnecessary risks, Erskine Paving understands the importance of working with Mother Nature. We are always mindful of the forecast and schedule projects strategically to ensure smooth sailing from start to finish.

That applies to all our services, including new paving, sealcoating, resurfacing, repairs, line striping, dirt work, gravel hauling, sweeping, parking lot drainage improvements, and more. Let us show you why we’re the best asphalt driveway contractor in West Virginia! Call Erskine Paving at (304) 701-4450, email Erskinesealcoating@gmail.com, or use our online form to get in touch and request your complimentary quote today.