When you look at your Asphalt Driveway in Tampa, Florida after a heavy summer downpour, you might wonder how much longer the pavement will hold together. Homeowners living around Lutz or Carrollwood already know that intense Florida heat combined with torrential afternoon storms can brutalize standard pavement. When it is finally time for a brand-new Asphalt Paving surface, knowing what to expect can save you from a massive headache and wasted cash.
We will break down the process from start to finish. Majestic Asphalt will show you what you can knock out on a Saturday afternoon and when you need to step back and let the crew handle the heavy lifting for your Asphalt Paving in Tampa.
Before the First Truck Rolls In: Preparation
You cannot just slap new Asphalt over a crumbling mess and hope for the best. Good prep work makes or breaks the Asphalt Installation job.
- Clear out cars, toys, and basketball hoops from the Asphalt work zone.
- Mark any underground sprinkler lines so nobody accidentally clips them.
- Inspect your drainage paths to see where standing water usually pools after a storm.
What you should not try to do yourself is grading and sub-base compaction for Asphalt. If your sandy Tampa soil is not compacted right using heavy machinery, your new Asphalt Driveway will start rutting within six months. Leave the grading to a professional crew with heavy rollers from Majestic Asphalt.
During the Paving Process: What to Watch
On Asphalt Paving day, things move fast. Hot mix Asphalt arrives in dump trucks very hot—usually around 300 degrees. Here is where the professionals earn their keep.
You want to stay out of the way, but keep an eye on how they handle the edges and joints. A good crew from Majestic Asphalt will make sure the transitions near your garage threshold and street apron are smooth so you do not scrape your car bumper every time you pull in.
Do not try to rake or shovel hot Asphalt yourself unless you have done it before. The material cools down faster than you think, and working it wrong leaves rough spots that trap water on your Asphalt Surface.
After the Paving: Curing and Upkeep
The crew rolls out, your Asphalt Driveway looks slick and black, and you are ready to park on it, right? Hold on. Asphalt takes time to cure fully, especially in our humid Florida climate.
Keep foot traffic off the Asphalt for the first day, and keep cars off the new Asphalt Driveway for at least three to five days. If you park a heavy SUV on fresh hot mix too soon, you will leave permanent tire depressions in your new Asphalt.
Once the Asphalt is cured, here is what you can handle yourself:
- Keep the Asphalt clean by blowing off lawn clippings and debris regularly.
- Wash away oil spills quickly using a mild degreaser.
- Sealcoat the Asphalt every few years to lock out UV rays and moisture.
Driveway Sealcoating is a great weekend project if you are handy with a squeegee and a bucket. But if you see deep cracks opening up or large sections sinking in your Asphalt, do not waste time with cheap store-bought crack filler. Majestic Asphalt provides Asphalt Repair services for homes and businesses in Tampa, FL.