The start of the New Year is a great time to list our goals for the upcoming 12 months, and for many of us that list will include upgrades to our homes or places of business. If you’re like most people, once you decide to take on a project, you’re anxious to get it started. This is particularly true for a large-scale job, like a new patio, driveway, or parking lot, for example. But when it comes to installing new asphalt, it’s important to have the project done when the weather is cooperating. Although asphalt is a very durable material, if you have it poured in bad weather conditions, the quality of the surface will be compromised.
Most professional paving contractors would agree that the best weather conditions for installing new asphalt – or even resurfacing existing pavement — would be clear, sunny weather and about 70 degrees Fahrenheit. For people living in far northern states, that may mean late spring or summer, while people in the South might be able to have new pavement poured earlier in the spring, in the fall, or even in very late winter, weather permitting.
Part of the consideration involves the type of asphalt used. If your paving contractor is using a hot mix asphalt, it might be possible to pave in temperatures in the 50 to 60-degree range. If you live in the South, that could mean that even some days in the winter might seem to be paving weather. But less than ideal conditions can mean that the finished asphalt surface will be more prone to early deterioration, so most paving contractors would advise against paving in anything other than ideal weather.
If you’re planning on having new pavement poured sometime this coming year, it’s only natural that you would be anxious about getting started. But the right weather conditions are absolutely necessary in order to get the best quality finished product possible when it comes to a new asphalt surface. The best way to decide when to pave is to contact a local, trusted paving contractor. They will be familiar with your local climate and will know best when to pave. Of course, it doesn’t hurt to call a paving contractor early on to ensure that your project is started within your desired timeframe. Quality paving companies often have many projects lined up for the coming paving season, so there’s no time like the present to get your project in the queue.