The Best Time to Overlay an Asphalt Parking Lot

The Best Time to Overlay an Asphalt Parking Lot

For commercial properties, an asphalt parking lot is a cost-effective option for high-traffic parking situations. Asphalt is durable and can be installed in a few days, allowing normal business operations to resume quickly. However, there is an optimal time of year to properly overlay asphalt. While you may want to lay new asphalt or repair your existing parking lot immediately, rushing the process during adverse conditions will result in poor quality. Here’s what you should consider for proper asphalt installation on your commercial property.

The Best Time to Overlay an Asphalt Parking Lot | Crown Royalty Management - Property Services

Establishing the Base

Beneath the asphalt lies soil and a base. The first step is inspecting the soil to determine whether it requires hardening additives like concrete or lime. Avoid performing this step during the rainy season, as the soil will be too moist and soft. For base stabilization, you may need to mix in additives like cement powder to ensure a strong base. The mixture must achieve a specific moisture and hardness level before it can be compacted and smoothed for asphalt layering. You may need to temporarily turn off irrigation systems, so ensure it’s not too hot for your landscape to handle a few days without constant watering.

Laying the Asphalt

Laying the asphalt is the most critical part of the process. Warmer temperatures provide more working time for smoothing the asphalt. Asphalt solidifies when it cools, and if projects are exposed to rain, the surface could sink, crack, or shift. Conversely, asphalt should not be installed when it’s extremely hot, as it won't harden properly and might even spill oil. Cooled asphalt can be driven on after a couple of days, but it takes at least six months for the material to fully harden and for its oils to evaporate.

Best Time for Asphalt in California

In California, the best months for asphalt projects are May, June, and July, when the rainy season is over and the temperatures are warm but not too hot. Allow yourself 60 to 90 days for a contractor to inspect your property and review base layering needs before asphalt installation. This is the perfect time to call and plan your property’s upcoming asphalt project. Contact Crown Royalty Management - Property Services at 818-253-4777 for high-quality asphalt installation services or reach out to us online.