When you look at your driveway on a freezing March morning in Colorado Springs, CO and see cracks or damage, you are not alone. Primetime Paving Co handles Asphalt Contractor services in Colorado Springs, CO and we hear the same questions about asphalt from homeowners every single week. The local climate in Colorado Springs, CO causes a lot of wear on pavement, and homeowners need straightforward information about Asphalt Contractor work without any exaggerated marketing terms.
We will go over what you need to know about keeping your asphalt driveway solid in Colorado Springs, CO.
How long should a residential asphalt driveway actually last in Colorado Springs?
Under normal conditions, a residential asphalt driveway can last twenty to twenty-five years or more when it is properly installed. The climate in Colorado Springs, CO brings massive temperature swings where the temperature can be seventy degrees and sunny on Tuesday and drop below zero by Wednesday night. This freeze-thaw cycle creates deep problems for the sub-base beneath your asphalt. If a contractor uses a thin gravel base or if you skip regular sealcoating, the lifespan of your asphalt driveway drops to twelve to fifteen years. Primetime Paving Co makes sure every Asphalt Contractor project in Colorado Springs, CO uses a solid gravel base to protect against the local climate.
Why is my asphalt crumbling at the edges?
Edge cracking is one of the most common problems found from Briargate down to Fountain. Asphalt lacks strong lateral support along the outer edges of the driveway. When vehicles drive off the edge onto expansive local clay soils—which swell when wet and shrink when dry—the asphalt breaks apart. Installing a properly compacted gravel shoulder or a concrete ribbon curb fixes this issue, but construction companies often skip this step to save money. Primetime Paving Co builds sturdy edges on every Asphalt Contractor job in Colorado Springs, CO to prevent this exact type of crumbling.
When is it too cold to pave or patch?
Air temperature is very important for paving work. Asphalt needs to be hot when it comes out of the truck—usually around 300 degrees—and it requires time to compact properly before it cools down. If the air temperature drops below fifty degrees, the asphalt mix cools off too quickly, and workers cannot achieve the proper compaction density. Primetime Paving Co schedules all major Asphalt Contractor projects in Colorado Springs, CO before the deep winter freeze sets in.
Should I sealcoat a brand-new driveway?
Property owners should not sealcoat a brand-new asphalt driveway right away. Fresh asphalt needs time to cure, outgas, and harden. Applying a sealer to brand-new asphalt traps essential oils inside and keeps the pavement soft. Homeowners should wait at least six to twelve months through a full cycle of seasons before applying the first coat of sealer. After that initial wait, sealcoating every two to three years is the best way to block out UV rays and moisture. Primetime Paving Co provides Asphalt Contractor maintenance services in Colorado Springs, CO to keep seal coats up to date.
Why are there white powdery spots showing up on my pavement?
Those white spots are usually efflorescence or salt residue. Colorado Springs, CO uses a lot of magnesium chloride and road salts during winter snowstorms to keep commutes clear around Monument Hill and the Black Forest. When moisture evaporates from the pores in your asphalt, it leaves mineral deposits behind. This looks unpleasant, but it is generally harmless to the structural integrity of your asphalt driveway. Primetime Paving Co inspects pavement conditions for homeowners throughout Colorado Springs, CO.
Can I park a heavy RV or boat on my residential asphalt?
Standard residential driveways are engineered for passenger vehicles, not heavy multi-ton recreational vehicles. Asphalt is a flexible pavement, which means it bends under heavy weight. If you park a heavy RV in the exact same spot all summer, the tires will create severe depressions, especially when the July sun bakes the surface soft. If you own heavy vehicles, you need a thicker cross-section of base material and asphalt installed specifically to handle that load. Primetime Paving Co builds heavy-duty surfaces for properties in Colorado Springs, CO.
For homeowners in Colorado Springs, CO, Primetime Paving Co is here for all your Asphalt Contractor needs.