On 8/13/2011 2:02 PM, Smitty Two wrote:
In ,
wrote:

In ,
typed:
Hello,

Live outside of Boston,

For a typical home complete driveway re-do, can the hot
asphalt be put down in the Fall season O.K. ?

Or, should it be done only in the hot summer months.

Paving Contractor says they do it thru late Nov. !

Any minimum outside temp's involved for a "good" job" to
be done ?
Thoughts on ?

Thanks,
Bob

Wow: That depends on so many factors and you've given so little iniformation
your only hope is to call the contractors and ask them in your area. Here
you're going to get opinions about NY, Maine, Ca, Tx, Fl, and gosh knows
where else. Also, keep in mind that "asphalt is not asphalt" in a way
similar to grades of gasoliine are not the same octane ratings. The
materials are mixed for the area/temps they're gonig to be used in.

It seems to me he already spoke with the paving contractor in his area.
Why he's hiring a contractor that he doesn't trust is the real question.

I'm no expert, but isn't the temp more of an issue with the substrate
prep, more than with the asphalt laying itself? Hard to roll and tamp
half-frozen mud, gravel, and sand, etc. I'd still be leery of asphalt
going down when ground is frozen, for obvious frost heave issues, but as
long as the machinery they are using can keep the asphalt pliable enough
to work, does the cool-down rate really affect it that much? I mean, not
like it ever really gets solid like concrete anyway.

I'll note that I HAVE seen them lay hot asphalt patches in dead of
winter, like for a water main break on a major road where cold patch was
out of the question. 3 guys with torches that looked like giant
versions of what roofers use, were going back and forth on the edges of
the old cut asphalt, presumably so the patch would bond enough to last
till spring. All in all, it looked like a miserable day for those fellows.

But having said all that- some years, winter comes late, even as far
north as here in MI. I have had to mow in November, the year after I was
shoveling snow in October. If you happen to get a nice stretch of
weather, say a week or so, paving in Nov does not sound totally
implausible. A good paving company won't do work they think they will
get callbacks on. What did your other bidders say?

--
aem sends...