Once the curing process is complete, asphalt paving produces a strong pavement that can provide many years of attractive functionality. However, when your pavement is new, it is not as tough as it will be in a few months. The care that you give your asphalt pavement during its early life can help ensure that it will last as it should without needing costly or numerous repairs.
Why Is Asphalt Paving More Fragile When It Is New?
Commercial paving contractors do not typically describe a new asphalt pavement as fragile. It is more accurate to say that it is more susceptible to damage while it is curing. It is more flexible than it will be later, which means that it is at greater risk of developing a deformity. In addition, since you cannot have your asphalt maintenance contractor apply sealcoating for several months, your pavement has less protection against automotive fluids and UV rays.
If Asphalt Paving Is Not Protected Properly During Its First Few Months, What Might Happen?
In a worst-case scenario, you could be calling an Atlanta paving contractor to rebuild your pavement within five or six years. At best, you will have an unsightly pavement that is plagued by annoying issues. Pedestrians and drivers may have to dodge puddles of water, or you may need to call for a minor parking lot repair every few weeks. More than likely, however, you will soon need parking lot resurfacing, costly foundation repairs, or a series of repairs to fix a pattern of damage that just keeps moving throughout your parking lot.
What Is the Best Way to Protect New Atlanta Paving?
New paving in Atlanta enjoys some advantages that paving in other parts of the country will not receive. For example, Atlanta paving is unlikely to be buried under several feet of snow during its first winter. Therefore, the best way to protect your new pavement is to follow the instructions your commercial paving contractor provided. These instructions should have included the things that you should and should not do as well as information on routine asphalt maintenance procedures.
1. Keep your new pavement closed until the time specified by your paving contractor. The bare minimum is 24 hours, but you could have to wait 72 hours or longer.
2. Go ahead and schedule the paving services you will need to maintain your new pavement correctly, especially your sealcoating. Advance scheduling helps ensure that you will not forget any critical asphalt maintenance procedures.
3. If vehicles leak oil or other fluids, clean them up promptly. This is particularly crucial during the time you are waiting to sealcoat your pavement.
4. Try to avoid placing heavy loads, including palletized materials, on your new pavement. If you cannot avoid them, do not leave them in one spot for more than a few days.
5. Enforce weight limits so that your pavement is not subjected to heavier vehicles than it was designed to support.
6. Do your best to prevent drivers from turning their wheels while their vehicles are stationary, spinning their wheels, or performing stunts.
7. Make sure that gutters and drains remain free of debris so that runoff is not prevented from leaving your pavement.
The Surface Masters is a well-respected and experienced company providing asphalt maintenance, repair, and paving in Atlanta. Our paving services include parking lot resurfacing, asphalt paving, pavement markings, parking lot repair, milling and reclamation, crack sealing, concrete work, and sealcoating. We are known for the extremely high quality of our work, our commitment to customer service, and our professional approach to every job. To receive a free quote, use our online form to submit your request, call our office at 770-250-6392, or send an email to Info@TheSurfaceMasters.com.
