Care and Maintenance of Your New Asphalt
New Asphalt “Cure” Guidelines
Whether your pavement is newly built, or an overlay on top of an older surface, it can last more than 25 years if it is maintained. It is often said that asphalt, properly installed, virtually NEVER wears out. Instead, asphalt is "ruined" by not maintaining it. Here are some tips to get long life from your asphalt:
- It should be allowed to cure for 3-4 days depending upon the temperature and humidity of the air. It is important to keep cars, trailers, & motorcycles off it during this curing time.
- Asphalt pavements are "flexible' pavements, which means that they will adapt their shape to the surface beneath them, and to objects placed on them.
- New asphalt should be seal coated within 90 days and then every 3 to 4 years depending upon weather and wear.
- Keeping your asphalt clean will minimize early deterioration due to the abrasive nature of sand and gravel.
Things you should avoid on new asphalt:
- Parking your car in the same spot all of the time.
- Turning your steering wheel when the car is not moving.
- Using a motorcycles kickstand.
- Parking a trailer/boat on pavement without placing a piece of wood under each tire and hitch.
