When is the Right Time to Re-Asphalt your Driveway?

12 September 2020

If you have been maintaining your asphalt driveway by filling small cracks before they grow bigger, and sealing the pavement every 2-3 years you could have a driveway that lasts over 20 years! But asphalt, by nature, does break down eventually and property owners are faced with the decision of continuing to maintain their asphalt for as long as possible or having it resurfaced with a thin new layer of asphalt.

We’ve discussed the risk in trying to get too many years out of crumbling asphalt and waiting too long to resurface your driveway in a previous post. If you missed it, you can learn why it’s costly and dangerous to wait too long to replace your asphalt by clicking here (Spoiler Alert: if you wait too long to replace your asphalt, you might have to dig up the entire driveway and start from scratch, including the sub layers).

 

So when you have decided that it’s time to stop patching your current asphalt and have your driveway resurfaced, what kinds of things should you consider about the right timing?
Here are some resurfacing insights from the asphalt experts at Pavage Massie in Gatineau about when is the right time to re-asphalt your driveway depending on your situation.

 

Temperature and Weather
In Gatineau and the Outaouais region, the paving season can last from mid-April until mid-December dependent on the arrival of the first and last freeze-thaw of the winter. As a general rule, once the air temperature drops below zero at night, the paving season has ended and homeowners must wait for spring to book their resurfacing.

 

Building a New Home
If you are the first homeowners of a new build, you must wait for one year before laying asphalt in your driveway. This enables the ground to fully settle and pass through its first freeze-thaw cycle.

 

Selling your Home
Are you planning to put your home on the market ? it is always in your best interest to have your exterior photos taken during the summer or fall to showcase your curb appeal and landscaping. With that in mind, take advantage of the slower fall season to have your driveway redone so that you can have your pictures locked and loaded for a successful spring real estate market. Waiting to have your driveway done in the spring could result in a delay due to the availability of your driveway crew.

 

Crew Availability
As suggested above, the fall season tends to have more availability for professional asphalt crews. If you want more control over the exact dates of your driveway being resurfaced, consider booking your asphalt job in the slower autumn months.

 

What’s Parked in Your Driveway
If you store a boat, trailer, or other heavy vehicles on your asphalt driveway, you will want to consider what you will do with these items during and immediately after your resurfacing project. If you have no alternative to storing these items, you will want to avoid laying new asphalt or re-asphalting your driveway in the heat of the summer so that you don’t create dips on your freshly paved surface.

 

Trusting Your Gut
An important and sadly overlooked aspect to consider when choosing when to have your asphalt driveway resurfaced is whether or not it feels like the right timing for you. We’ve written about the risk of falling victim to unprofessional “door knockers” who use pressure tactics and commit fraud when promising to lay asphalt for a better price than the local trusted professionals. (In case you missed it, check out the article here). We encourage you to do your research, ask for referrals and recommendations from neighbours, and trust your instincts about whether or not you feel good about the company you’ve chosen to work with. Don’t be pressured into a quick decision.

 

 

Resurfacing your asphalt driveway or parking lot is a big investment and you want to get the timing right. Doing it too soon in the life of your driveway is an unnecessary expense because you can successfully maintain and extend the life of your asphalt driveway with regular care. Waiting too long to re-asphalt your surface can result in an even bigger and more expensive job. And taking your unique situation and needs into consideration will help you make the right decision about when is the right time to re-asphalt your driveway. If you have any questions or need help with your decision, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help!