Does Rain Affect a New Asphalt Driveway?

Windsor CA’s most reputable driveway paving company, Sikes Asphalt Group Inc, loves helping local homeowners get the best new asphalt driveways for their residential properties. Asphalt is a great paving material for a driveway, as it’s the same material roads are made of, but it can be mysterious to most homeowners. Let our asphalt experts help you understand your new asphalt driveway.

Water and Asphalt Pavement

Because asphalt pavement is slightly porous, water can get into it and break down the oils within the asphalt binder, which causes it to separate from the aggregates inside, like sand and gravel. When this happens, asphalt can break and more water and debris can get down into the pavement. Then, when that water freezes, it expands and breaks it down even more, causing cracks. If left alone, cracks can widen and deepen into the base layer when more water gets inside.

Does rain affect a new asphalt driveway?

When asphalt is freshly cured, it is particularly vulnerable to water damage because the binders are still somewhat soft and the pavement is not completely sealed over. This is why driveway paving contractors won’t work during the rain.

How to Protect Your Asphalt Driveway in Windsor CA

The first thing to do is to follow all the guidelines set out by your paving company as far as letting asphalt cure and not using it for 72 hours after installation. Once your new driveway is cured, you can also get professional asphalt sealcoating to further protect your pavement.

In communities like Santa Rosa and Windsor CA, Sikes Asphalt Group is the most trusted driveway maintenance and repair company. We’re here for you if your existing driveway has damage or you need a brand new driveway. Contact us today.