Asphalt is the leading paving choice in the United States, and this is due to its economical cost, rapid installation, aesthetic appeal, and durability. However, if you want to reap all the benefits of asphalt paving, you need to hire a knowledgeable contractor who will not take shortcuts that could lead to unsatisfactory results. One such shortcut that many inexperienced or unscrupulous contractors may take is to proceed with a paving project when the temperature is below an acceptable point.
What Is the Acceptable Temperature for Paving?
Generally, the air temperature needs to be a minimum of 50 degrees Fahrenheit and rising, and this is also the minimum acceptable ground temperature. However, your Atlanta paving contractor may want to wait for a warmer day if there are other factors that will affect how long the asphalt mix can retain its heat after it is spread. If too much heat is lost, the asphalt company will not be able to achieve complete compaction of the asphalt, and this can result in a short-lived, lumpy, ugly pavement.
What Is the Role of Timing in Asphalt Paving?
When installing asphalt paving Atlanta contractors know that every step must be carefully choreographed so that every action occurs at a certain time. Deliveries from the asphalt plant must be scheduled so that they arrive just when they are needed; if the crew is not ready for the delivery, the asphalt mix can lose too much heat during the wait. The mix is usually around 300 degrees Fahrenheit when it arrives, and it must be spread and compacted before that temperature falls below 185 degrees or so. Many people are surprised to learn that the mix temperature can sometimes drop by more than 100 degrees within 15 or 20 minutes once it comes into contact with the ground. Any experienced paving contractor Atlanta GA property owners would want to hire will understand the importance of timing, so there will be a sufficient number of workers, the right tools, and an adequate number of the right pieces of equipment on the site before the first asphalt truck arrives.
Do the Same Guidelines Apply for Other Pavement Maintenance or Paving Services?
In some cases, the temperature and timing can be a critical factor for achieving success. For example, asphalt sealcoating typically requires the same minimum temperatures as paving, while asphalt patching may demand higher temperatures. When installing an asphalt overlay, the timing and temperature requirements will normally be identical to those for paving, but they may be more stringent in some situations.
The Surface Masters Is the Paving Contractor Atlanta GA Property Owners Trust
We are an experienced, respected Atlanta paving company with an impeccable reputation for superior craftsmanship, remarkable customer service, and professional integrity. Our paving services include asphalt overlay and paving, asphalt repair, asphalt sealcoating, parking lot striping, concrete paving and repair, crack sealing, and pavement marking. We serve commercial clients, including HOAs, retailers, health care facilities, restaurants, educational institutions, and hotels, throughout the greater Atlanta area. If you are interested in receiving a free quote, submit the online request form to get us started. If you would rather, you can call our Marietta office at 770-250-6392.
