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Appearance of Your New Pavement

You new pavement may look smoother in some areas than in others because of the makeup of blacktop. Blacktop is composed of various sizes of stone, sand, liquid asphalt and other ingredients which ccause a varied texture of the surface. Also blacktop areas that have been raked and spread with hand tools may appear different in texture from those spread by machine. It's important to understand the composition of asphalt as well as the methods of installation.

Caring For Your New Driveway or Parking Area

Asphalt contains liquid which needs time to harden and cure.  It will be fully cured usually within 6-12 months; until then it will remain pliable and "soft".  We recommend keeping automobiles off new asphalt installations for at least 3 days, and longer in hot weather.

Even when cured, asphalt can sometimes soften in extremely hot weather and harden as temperatures fall.  To temporarily harden hot asphalt, you can water it down with cool water from your garden hose.  If soap suds should appear, do not be alarmed.  This is a reaction between the diesel fuel found in asphalt and the chlorine found in some municipal water supplies.

Although every effort is made to avoid puddles in your driveway, some shallow ones may be inevitable, depending on the natural slope and drainage of your ground.

To avoid scarring, do not pull out too fast, pull in too quickly, or drive too fast on your new asphalt driveway.  During the initial curing time, 6-12 months, don't park in the same spot all the time and don't use a jack stand or car ramps unless you put a piece of plywood underneath to distribute the weight of the car.  Do not turn your steering wheel back and forth when you car is not moving.

Large heavy vehicles can depress and cause ruts in your new blacktop. Keep heavy trucks (concrete, oil, landscaping, etc.) off your new driveway.  If a camper or other vehicle will be stored for a long period of time, place a piece of plywood under the tongue jack and tires. 

Do not walk on your new drive with pointy high heels, place lawn chairs, bicycle kick stands, or any other sharp objects on it.  They will create holes and depressions.

The edges are the weakest part of your driveway due to the lack of side support.  Do not drive on the edges, since they will crack and crumble in time.  Building up  the sides of your driveway with topsoil will support the edges after the grass is grown.