When you use asphalt paving for your driveway, parking lot, or other space, it needs time to cure. The curing process brings the asphalt to its full strength and durability. Here’s what you need to know about how this process works and what it means for your project.

How Does Curing Differ From Drying?

Drying and curing are separate processes that need to happen after you lay asphalt paving. Drying simply means that the moisture is leaving the pavement, and takes about two or three days. Curing is a more complex process, during which the energy from sunlight and the oxygen in the air react with the oil in the paving, oxidizing it. This removes some oil, a change that you can see when the pavement lightens from black to gray.

While you can walk or even drive on asphalt after it’s dried, it’s still somewhat flexible, and heavy traffic or a parked car can still damage it before it’s cured, leaving behind ridged or torn up asphalt. Once it’s cured, it can stand up to this tough use without losing its smooth finish.

How Does Asphalt Cure?

Curing your asphalt paving can take anywhere from a month to a year. The warmer the ground and air, and the more sunny weather you have, the faster it will cure, since heat speeds up the reaction. Humidity slows it down because it’s harder for anything to evaporate into air that’s already saturated with water. Wind speeds up the process by providing constant fresh air.

When Should You Seal Your Asphalt?

Curing is the reason that you can’t seal your asphalt immediately after laying it down. The sealant would cut off the asphalt from the oxygen in the air and halt the curing process. On the other hand, if you wait too long to seal, the asphalt can actually lose too much oil to oxidation and become brittle.

Most manufacturers recommend sealing a new driveway or lot 30 days after completion, but this depends on the weather conditions, so talk to your contractor about the right time for your project.

For more information about curing times for your asphalt paving project, get in touch with A-1 Services Wisconsin Rapids in Wood County, WI. Since 1996, this locally owned and operated business has provided residents with asphalt maintenance and paving services for residential and commercial clients, as well as tree services. To get a free estimate from their fully certified team, visit their website or call (715) 423-6444.