Paving Considerations for Fall
Paving professionals agree that late spring and summer are the best time to lay asphalt and conduct asphalt repairs. But does this mean you cannot schedule a driveway to be paved in the fall? Not necessarily. Though some seasons are certainly not ideal, fall is still a perfectly good time to do asphalt work if the right contractor is doing the job. Here are a few paving considerations for fall.
Paving in the autumn months presents a variety of challenges, but with the right know-how they can be overcome. As long as the daytime temperatures remain above 50 degrees, asphalt can be laid. The average thickness of asphalt is 2 to 3 inches. Contractors laying 3 inches of hot asphalt mix have about 45 minutes to work the asphalt and get the surface compacted properly. You need an experienced local contractor with the right equipment and the right people to get the job done efficiently within that window of time.
If you are looking at getting a driveway laid before winter comes, you should consider asking potential contractors about the following:
Their equipment.
This is imperative. Ask questions to ensure your contractor has the proper rollers and operators to complete the work quickly.
Their application time.
Find out how long they estimate it will take to complete your project. The shorter, the better. Make sure they can get your driveway compacted properly in the amount of time mentioned above.
Their asphalt supplier.
Where their supplier is located in relation to you is very important. The sooner the asphalt can be transported to your address, the better. The longer the heat in the asphalt can be maintained, the longer compaction time the contractor has. Perhaps more than anything else, having hot asphalt delivered at the right temperature is critical to your project's success.
Ask for references.
This goes with any job but specifically ask for references from other jobs they have completed in the fall. A reputable contractor will gladly share these with you. Follow up on these references and find out how their experience was and how their particular job turned out.
When all these conditions are met, laying asphalt in the cool fall months can be done, and it can be done successfully. When it comes to making sure your asphalt job is done right, you want to know you are dealing with an expert asphalt paving contractor. For over 50 years, John Parichuk Paving, LLC, has made it our priority to deliver exceptional paving and sealcoating services in the Hanover, Gettysburg, and York, PA region. Call us today, and let's take a look at your fall paving project.