Asphalt Paving in the Rain

Are you worried the weather will slow down your paving project? Higher than average rainfall and ‘atmospheric rivers’ have occurred more frequently in recent years, posing many problems for Bay Area businesses. For this reason, our customers often ask us if it’s possible to perform asphalt paving in the rain. The short answer is no; you should not pave on rainy days. There are many reasons you should wait for fair weather to lay asphalt.

Why Can’t Pavement Be Installed in the Rain?

Fresh, newly applied asphalt is more susceptible to moisture damage than fully cured pavement. Exposure to rainfall immediately after paving can weaken materials, causing asphalt to crack and deteriorate faster. The heavier the rain, the worse the damage to the pavement may be. Testing can identify if rainfall has severely weakened pavement bond strength. If this occurs, asphalt removal and replacement may be necessary.

How Does Rain Damage New Asphalt?

Rainfall can negatively impact newly lain asphalt in many ways:

Puddling water makes compacting sub-base layers impossible

Wet soil is not stable. Rainwater fills voids between rocks, preventing proper compression of subbase layers and reducing adhesion. Applying new pavement over a thick layer of firmly compacted dry, crushed rock, called aggregate, ensures proper bonding, enabling asphalt to support the weight of traffic without cracking and caving.

Rainfall accelerates cooling

Speeding the asphalt cooling process negatively impacts strength and flexibility. Rapid cooling from rain may also cause steam to become trapped, condensing into water and causing asphalt cracks.

Water infiltration causes oil to separate from asphalt

Asphalt is crude oil derived, and oil and water don’t mix. Separation may occur when exposed to heavy rainfall before fully curing, driving oil to the top and compromising pavement integrity, leading to fissures and potholes.

Rainwater seepage into sublayers degrades the pavement foundation

Water accumulation from heavy rainfall causes water seepage into asphalt through the sides. As accumulated water expands and contracts within the substructure, the bond between aggregates and binder breaks down, causing cracks and stripping to occur.

Managing Rainy Day Paving Conflicts

Our knowledgeable local asphalt contractors understand the ins and outs of managing inclement weather to achieve a lasting asphalt installation. We’re constantly monitoring the weather and your schedule, keeping you informed of changes to your project timetable. If an unexpected light rain occurs during pavement installation, we ensure the proper drainage to keep your asphalt dry and prevent curing catastrophes. When the rain stops, we’ll thoroughly dry the area before paving resumes, ensuring your asphalt’s integrity. Installing beautiful, strong pavement is our goal. That’s why we back all newly installed asphalt with an unmatched, 3-year pavement warranty.

Ensure Lasting, High-Quality Paving Results

Avoid common pitfalls of asphalt paving in the rain with service from American Asphalt’s experienced paving contractors. Contact us at 510-723-0280 to schedule an asphalt project estimate today.