As a commercial property owner, having installation or asphalt repair services are an investment not only in your business but in the health and safety of your employees and clientele. The one thing you won’t have control over is the weather!  That’s where the professional services of a reputable paving contractor come in. Their attention to detail and excellent asphalt quality takes the weather into consideration. A good asphalt company will monitor the weather around the scheduled time of paving your commercial lot.  This will allow for preparation work to be done before forecasted rain starts so the contractor will be ready to start as soon as possible after a rainfall. The condition of the lot is important to ensure your asphalt pavement will last for years to come. 

How Does Rain Affect Asphalt?

Although water is used to create asphalt, a rainfall during installation can have an adverse effect on the substance. Asphalt needs time to cure and dry. Laying asphalt during the rain can cause the mixture to weaken quickly, causing quality issues now and down the road.  Rain is usually accompanied by cool air which can also have a negative effect on the quality of the asphalt. While this is known to speed up the cooling process of laying asphalt, it does trap the steam eventually causing pooling.  Here are some other ways rain affects asphalt. 

Causes Waterlogging

Waterlogging, in reference to asphalt, is the result of the oil components of the asphalt expelling the excess water. The water on top of the asphalt expands and contracts in accordance with the weather temperatures. This water works to strip the oil bonding the components of the asphalt. This type of disengagement is seen with rainfall during asphalt application when the asphalt itself is still soft. 

Asphalt Cannot Be Installed When It Is Raining

Laying asphalt shortly after rainfall may cause the oil components of the asphalt to rise to the surface. This immediately damages the asphalt and leads to more land issues. Asphalt should also not be installed on rain-soaked soil. To prevent crevices and bumps in the commercial lot, it is best to wait until the property is dry, particularly after consecutive days of rain. 

Causes Asphalt Shrinkage

April showers may bring May flowers, but they also cause asphalt paving to shrink and deteriorate. A properly installed and well-maintained asphalt pavement should last 25 years. As water penetrates the asphalt, it destroys the durability of the components causing the entire form of asphalt to collapse.  

Creates Cracks & Potholes

The oils that separate and the seepage of water beneath the surface will form cracks within the asphalt. Without stopping the oil, these cracks will expand causing holes, and eventually potholes. This not only causes headaches but weakens the asphalt and destroys the structure of the entire paved surface. 

Cannot Apply Lot Striping and Markings in the Rain

In addition to rain affecting the integrity of the asphalt pavement, the excess water prevents the line striping of the commercial lot. As the ground needs to be dry for paving, the pavement itself needs to be completely dry for quality painting. The ground temperature is also key which can become too cool during a rainfall. 

How to Prepare Your Asphalt for Rainy Weather

Pavement maintenance is crucial to ensure your commercial lot continues to be a smooth and secure surface in the days, weeks, and years to come. Here’s how you can prepare your asphalt pavement for rainy weather conditions. 

Check for Potholes and Cracks and Repair Them

In the days following the installation, check your commercial lot for cracks, large crevices, and potholes. Tackling these issues with asphalt repairs before the next big rainfall can help prevent further damage. It would be a shame to have the entire yard repaved because of negligence on your part. 

Protect Your Paving with a Sealant/Add Sealcoating

We take precautions to add a layer of insurance to our professional and personal lives and the same should be said for asphalt paving. Sealcoating is a form of asphalt pavement maintenance against damage from the rainy weather, temperature fluctuations, sun damage, and traffic. This substance works as a layer of protection against deterioration and cracking of the asphalt. 

Install a Proper Drainage Channel

Now that you know how rainfall can have an adverse effect on your commercial paving, take measures to ensure there is proper drainage. Directing the water away from the asphalt will prevent waterlogging from damaging the structure of the asphalt. The sloping of the lot should be away from any property structures. 

Plan Paving Installation for Clear Weather

For any upgrades, additions, or repairs to your paved commercial lot, discuss your concerns with the asphalt contractor to avoid paving during rainfall. A forecast of rain over a several day period may require you to reschedule the asphalt paving to a later date than anticipated. Having a paving schedule in accordance with the weather will save you time and money in the long run. 

Contact an Asphalt Paving Contractor Today!

Don’t take chances with improper paving schedules. Contact the leading commercial pavement maintenance team at Sure-Seal Pavement Maintenance Inc. We pride ourselves on offering excellent service with top-quality results across the GTA. Your business depends on customer satisfaction and as first impressions are key, your commercial property needs to be well-maintained. Let’s discuss how we can help your commercial property become safe and attractive.