Your driveway is impacted by the elements the most during the winter months. Cold temperatures and wintry precipitation can cause rain and melted snow to seep into the cracks in your driveway which then freeze and expand, making the cracks worse. If you put off paving your driveway all summer, chances are you’re stuck with a damaged driveway in need of repair. Is having your driveway paved a good idea this winter? Let’s find out!
It Might be Too Cold
The reason it might be trickier to have your driveway paved in the winter is because maintaining the high temperature of the asphalt is very important to its proper application. The asphalt needs to be above a minimum temperature in order for it to flow smoothly enough and compacts successfully. With very low outdoor temperatures, you can understand how it might be hard to maintain this temperature once the asphalt is exposed to the air.
So if cold temperatures make paving your driveway in winter more difficult, what are the keys to successfully completing the task outside of the warmer months of the year?
Milder Outdoor Temperatures
Outdoor temperatures that are either above freezing, or below freezing with unfrozen ground are best for paving during the wintertime. Fortunately for homeowners, Maryland winters are known to be unpredictable, and it’s not unusual for us to have a week of milder weather here and there throughout the season. Keep an eye on the weather forecasts and plan your paving project for a week where temperatures are likely to be above freezing.
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A Skilled Team of Paving Professionals
Since outdoor temperatures cannot be altered by man, you will need an educated and skillful professional, equipped with efficient and proven techniques in order to get your driveway paved during the winter. Professionals know that pouring asphalt onto the ground when it is frozen is a surefire way to end up with a bad paving job, and are aware of the best techniques to use in order to avoid this.
1-855-GOT-PAVING is your local Maryland Paving contractor based out of Howard County, happily serving our community and counties all over the state. We are family owned and operated, and have a friendly and reliable team of professionals ready to assist you with all your residential and commercial paving needs. Contact us today for more information on winter driveway paving, or to schedule a free estimate.
