If the weather forecast is a little unpredictable, you might wonder, "can asphalt paving be done in the rain?" Since you know that some construction work continues even in the rain, but in this case, the asphalt paving for your commercial or residential project will need a reschedule, and rescheduling this type of project can be difficult.

Some questions need to be answered before making that financial decision. The quick answer to if you can do asphalt paving while raining is: No. However, you need more information. This guide will help you understand how rain can affect your asphalt and what effects you can experience while paving in the rain.

How Does Rain Affect Asphalt?

To understand why asphalt paving shouldn't be done in the rain, you must know how rain affects asphalt paving. In simple words, asphalt is made of petroleum, which is oil. You know that water and oil don't mix well.

Your asphalt paving job may suffer if you attempt to lay asphalt during or even right after a downpour. Sometimes it's necessary to wait a few days for the area surrounding your project to dry out completely before you begin paving with asphalt. 

Rain also threatens the stability of the subsoil. If the soil is wet, the asphalt turns soft and is not a good surface to pave on. The ground must be entirely dry before asphalt can be laid.

Asphalt vs. Water: The Effects

Rain affects asphalt paving by bringing the oil to the surface. This issue creates various effects on your new asphalt driveway or parking lot that you don't want. Here are some examples:

Structural Damages

As mentioned before, when the rain comes into contact with freshly laid asphalt, it causes the oil to rise to the surface. You might see pitting or cracking on the surface of the asphalt if there's damage from rain. These issues might seem small, but they can quickly become larger, like getting to the point of creating potholes.

Drying Time

Asphalt needs to cure. And if it comes into contact with water, this will unquestionably cause a day’s- or weeks-long delay in the drying process. Also, consider that asphalt is poured hot, and rain cools the mixture while entering into contact with it. 

Water can form a steam barrier between the top layer and the base. The steam cools and creates trapped moisture between the base and top layer of asphalt, compromising the integrity of the product.

Get Ready to Beautify Your Property

Now that you know that you shouldn't schedule an asphalt paving project if the weather is rainy, it's time to beautify your home or business under the right conditions. Having a reliable company that knows how to provide a service that excels above others is the way to start.

At Asphalt Paving by GW, we offer quality materials and workmanship for your asphalt work to last for years without needing repairs. Whether you need a single-car driveway or a multi-car parking lot, we can handle it. Get in touch with us today!