Is It Possible To Pave Asphalt Driveways In The Winter?

Nothing enhances a home better than a new asphalt driveway. These additions significantly boost curb appeal and provide game-changing functionality for you and your family, all while increasing property values. If you're eager to get your Southern Virginia asphalt paving project rolling, you need to understand the impact weather can have on construction. Many contractors recommend completing asphalt paving in the spring and summer months. But can professionals pave asphalt driveways in the winter?

Why Do Southern Virginia Asphalt Companies Recommend Waiting Until the Warmer Months?

Residential paving is a complex job. While much easier than commercial parking lot paving, significant planning, engineering and site preparations are still part of the equation. No matter the design of your driveway, asphalt paving companies generally recommend waiting until it's warmer to start a project. Why? It all comes down to low temperatures and moisture. Warm and dry weather are ideal conditions for residential paving. The best-case scenario is to work with asphalt when temperatures are around 70 degrees Fahrenheit, and the weather forecast shows no signs of precipitation or high humidity. Rain and humidity can cause moisture to penetrate the asphalt paving mix, resulting in major structural integrity issues, improper curing and a mess of surface irregularities. Meanwhile, lower temperatures make the hot asphalt mix much more difficult to work with. Asphalt companies can pave driveways in temperatures as low as 50 degrees Fahrenheit. However, anything lower for ground and ambient temperatures creates significant problems during asphalt paving. Ice, snow and frozen ground also make delivering great driveway paving results impossible.

Can Contractors Pave Asphalt Driveways When Temperatures Drop?

Southern Virginia asphalt companies prefer to work in the warmer months, but they can still construct an asphalt driveway in the right conditions. What's important is that they are mindful of the weather forecast during and after your residential paving process to ensure conditions are stable throughout construction and curing. As mentioned before, contractors can't work on frozen ground. Ambient and ground temperatures must be over 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Conditions should be dry with zero chance of snow or rain. The best time for asphalt paving companies to build driveways during the winter is at the start of the season or just before it in late fall. The early part of winter is typically milder, giving contractors more days with stable conditions to complete a project before the coolest temperatures set in.

What Are the Biggest Issues Contractors Face When They Pave Asphalt Driveways in the Winter?

There are several risks to performing Southern Virginia asphalt paving in the dead of winter. Wet conditions can ruin the asphalt mix entirely, causing it to cure incorrectly. While contractors can lay and compact the material, moisture penetration becomes a major headache that will manifest in ugly ways later. The final surface will have countless defects and lack the load-bearing capacity to support traffic. Another problem is the effect of cold weather on the hot asphalt. The material used to construct an asphalt driveway is between 275 and 300 degrees Fahrenheit. It makes its way to your property on insulated trucks that help to maintain the heat. However, once it's time to lay, roll and compact it, the ambient and ground temperatures will quickly cool it. The longer the material is open to cold weather, the more difficult it becomes for asphalt companies to work with it. If the asphalt's temperature drops to around 185 degrees, it's practically impossible to compact. It hardens too much, becoming far too rigid to compact correctly. Southern Virginia asphalt companies already have to work swiftly in normal conditions, but the rigors of winter make successful paving a huge challenge. E. Wells Paving is an experienced company proudly offering Southern Virginia asphalt paving services. We're among the most trusted asphalt companies in the area because we strive for perfection in everything we do. Whether you're interested in paving a driveway in the winter or not, we're always mindful of weather conditions to ensure success. Our team also pays attention to the details, handling every step of the process to deliver high-quality results you'll proudly show off. In addition to new paving, you can turn to us for sealcoating, repairs and more. Let us show you why we're among Southern Virginia's best asphalt paving companies. Call E. Wells Paving today at (434)637-8013 , email  ewellspaving98@gmail.com  or submit your information using our online contact form to get in touch, learn more and receive a free project quote.