If you’re planning on having a new driveway installed or having your current one repaved, you’ll want to keep it in the best possible condition. One of the biggest ways to do that is to avoid using it until it is ready. Let’s take a look at how long you should wait until you can use your new asphalt driveway.
How Long Does It Take Asphalt to Dry?
Asphalt needs to both dry and cure all the way through before you can use it. But just how long do these phases take? Most of the time, it takes about 48 to 72 hours for asphalt to dry. This is when the surface is at its most vulnerable. However, it may take up to 30 days for the asphalt surface to cure. During the curing process, the surface is not fully protected, so you should be careful with it. Asphalt takes even longer to cool and harden in the summer. This is because the heat and humidity in the air can keep the asphalt pliable. During these months, it could take the driveway up to 6 to 12 months to fully cure all the way through.
How Long to Stay Off Your New Asphalt Driveway?
If you want to avoid damaging your new driveway, it’s important to stay off of it. Even if it looks dry, it’s best to stay off of it for a little while. You should avoid using your driveway for at least 72 hours after it’s been repaved. After 24 hours, you can walk on asphalt if you cannot avoid it. However, try to avoid using it for the full three days if possible.
How Long Before You Can Drive on New Asphalt?
Since vehicles are heavy, you’ll need to avoid driving and parking on a new asphalt driveway even longer. They can cause depressions, rutting, and scarring on the surface. Because of this, you should not drive on your driveway for 72 hours. Before parking, you want the asphalt to cure all the way through. You should not park on it for 14 days. If you have larger vehicles such as a truck or RV, you should wait even longer. If your driveway repaving is happening in the summer, add even more time. In these cases, you may need to wait up to a month before parking on your asphalt driveway.
Other Ways to Protect Your Driveway in Ottawa
Even though you can drive and walk on your driveway after a few days until it is fully cured you need to be extremely careful with it. You should avoid any hazardous spills, including oil and gasoline, on the new surface. In addition, don’t use a hose to wash the surface as it can slow the drying and curing process. Other things can also damage your new driveway. Avoid sharp and narrow objects such as bike and motorcycle kickstands, patio furniture, ladders, and high-heeled shoes. The pressure caused by the small surface area of these items can lead to indentations. If you want to protect your driveway even more, you may want to consider sealcoating it. It’s important to work with a paving professional like JND Paving Inc for the timing on this. You need to wait long enough so that the oxidation process has enough time to get rid of some oil in the asphalt. However, if you wait too long, it can lose too much oil, leading to deterioration and premature cracking.
Protect Your New Asphalt Driveway
If you have a new asphalt driveway, you want to keep the surface protected. By staying off of the driveway for a certain period of time, you can do that. Looking to install a new paved driveway or resurface your existing one? Contact JND Paving Inc. today in Ottawa!