If you’ve ever wondered how long does asphalt take to cure, you’ve found the right post.
Before answering this question, it is important to know how to differentiate between the terms ‘’curing’’ and ‘’drying’’ of asphalt. It may be a bit confusing since they are often interchanged.
What is the difference?
When the molecules fuse together and the oxidation process is completed, the asphalt pavement manages to solidify in its entirety which means that it’s fully cured.
The term drying refers to the pedestrian or vehicle traffic that can pass on the asphalt without damaging it after it is paved.
How long does asphalt take to cure or dry?
It takes approximately 6 months to a year for paving / asphalt to cure, however, it only takes between 48 and 72 hours on average to dry and allow the traffic to pass.
In simple terms, curing asphalt means that it has completely hardened, of course there are many variables that may have an influence on how long does asphalt take to cure:
- The type of repair
- Surface temperature
- Air temperature
- Wind
In relation to the above, in scenarios where there are higher temperatures,the process of asphalt to cure can be slower since it can soften the asphalt before it’s fully cured, In scenarios where temperatures are very cold, the mix may begin to harden even before the crew’s work is completed allowing the risk of leaving bumps or defects on the pavement.
What happens while asphalt is cured?
In this process, asphalt oil plays an important role, when it’s applied for the first time, the color of the mixture is a dark black, which begins to take a lighter color as the asphalt ages / oxidizes. This occurs because due to direct contact with the sun and UV rays, the new pavement loses its oils, which is known as the oxidation process.
Excess of oil on the asphalt can be a negative factor, as it can generate noticeable patches on the surface, which becomes an aesthetic problem, especially when vehicles maneuver to get form one point to another.
At Rico Asphalt Repair we have 15 years of asphalt experience in maintenance and repair. Our goal is to provide simple solutions with a single call or click. All estimates and evaluations detailing the state of your surfaces are FREE.
If you’re looking for advice or you’re in need of repairs don’t hesitate to contact us, we are here to help.
Email: [email protected] PH:787 688 0094