Although asphalt paving offers a variety of benefits, many property owners find its aesthetic appeal to be a major advantage. If the appearance of their pavement is of critical importance to them, they were probably quite upset to find scuff marks appearing on it virtually as soon as vehicles were given access. Some of them may have even called their asphalt company to question whether the team members had failed to install the pavement correctly. Although a paving error could conceivably account for the issue, the odds are infinitesimally small that the scuff marks are related to anything the company’s team members did or failed to do.
If the Asphalt Paving Contractor Did Everything Right, Why Are There Scuff Marks on My New Pavement?
Experienced South Florida asphalt paving companies know that there are several things that can make tire scuffing more likely. The most common causes are listed below.
1. One of the leading sources of tire scuffing is engaging the power steering while a vehicle is stationary. Front-wheel drive vehicles are especially likely to leave scuff marks behind if the steering wheel is turned while idling or parked.
2. Opening an insufficiently cured pavement to traffic will increase the likelihood of scuffing. Typically, an asphalt paving company will recommend that you wait at least 24 hours before allowing vehicles to drive or park on a new pavement.
3. During hot weather, the tires on vehicles can also be very hot when they arrive. Since the pavement is at its most vulnerable to scuffing during its first summer, overheated tires can make scuff marks almost inevitable.
4. Low-profile tires are usually inflated to a higher pressure, and they also have a lower tread-to-sidewall aspect ratio. The additional stress that these tires place on the pavement can make scuffing more likely.
5. Some clients ask their asphalt contractor to make the new pavement as visually attractive as possible. To accomplish this, asphalt paving companies use smaller aggregates in the surface course mix than they use for load-bearing courses. Smaller aggregates increase the chance of tire scuffing.
What Should I Do About Scuff Marks on My Asphalt Paving?
Experienced paving contractors know that scuff marks typically vanish within a few months, and any remaining marks should disappear after your initial sealcoating. Therefore, do not be surprised if your asphalt contractor recommends that you just ignore them. Calling for asphalt paving services to make repairs or trying to remove the marks with chemicals or wire brushes can end up doing more harm than good. However, there are a few ways that you can minimize tire scuffing on your new pavement.
1. Wait as long as possible before you open your new pavement to traffic.
2. If possible, do not schedule your paving project during the hottest, most humid months.
3. A thin layer of sand near loading docks, truck scales, dumpster pads, and other areas frequented by heavy vehicles can often reduce scuffing.
4. Your parking lot paving company should tell you how long you should wait before your initial sealcoating. As soon as the waiting time ends, have a reputable professional sealcoat your pavement.
5. Although deliberate flooding may not be feasible for all types of pavements, if you can do it, the water will reduce the temperature of the pavement, and this may prevent or mitigate scuffing.
Since 2012, 3-D Paving has been setting the pace for our competitors in South Florida. We have an immaculate reputation for craftsmanship, service, consistency, professionalism, and integrity. Our asphalt paving services include sealcoating, asphalt milling, asphalt resurfacing and paving, and asphalt repairs. We also offer parking lot striping, speed bumps, drainage repairs, bollard installations, thermoplastic markings, parking lot signage, pavement markings, ADA compliance, reflective pavement markers, concrete grinding, paver bricks, and concrete installation. To request a free quote, call our Coral Springs office at 855-735-7623, submit the online form, or email Info@3-DPaving.com.
