No matter what you’re planning to resurface, the weather will always be a key consideration. As you’d expect, the conditions in which you lay asphalt or tarmac can have a notable impact on the finished product. But can these materials be laid out in the rain at all? Will they even set correctly?
In this guide, we’re answering the most common questions regarding whether you can lay asphalt and tarmac in the rain.
Can you lay asphalt and tarmac in the rain?
Laying asphalt or tarmac in the rain is possible, but not ideal. Essentially, if the rain is only light, you can proceed with the job as planned. A fine sprinkling of precipitation here and there isn’t likely to affect the end result, although it might make the job a little more tricky.
If the rain picks up, however, or lasts longer than a few minutes, you’ll have no choice but to bring the work to a halt. If too much water builds up on the surface, the new surface simply won’t be able to bond.
This is particularly applicable to cold-mix asphalt. Because the mixture already contains some water, adding any more will cause immediate issues.
What is asphalt made of?
In simple terms, asphalt is made with two primary ingredients: aggregates (like gravel, crushed stone and sand) and bitumen. Bitumen is a sticky, tar-like by-product of petroleum that holds the aggregate together. It’s also the component that makes asphalt waterproof.
Why can’t you pave roads with asphalt while it’s raining?
There are generally three layers of asphalt on a stone base when it comes to constructing roads in the UK. As we’ve already mentioned, asphalt is made of a viscous petrol mixture, which means it’s oil-based. Rain brings the oil to the surface of the asphalt in pavings and roads when it rains, meaning the road will take much longer to cure.
Delays
Damage that can occur if you lay asphalt paving or roads in the rain include delays. If it’s a busy road, this could cause days or weeks worth of delays due to an unusable road surface.
Structural Damage
If water displaces the oil in the asphalt road surface, this can lead to structural damage like cracking. These issues can seem small at first, but they can quickly grow to become larger issues, like the dreaded potholes we get across roads in the UK.
Compromised Integrity
Asphalt paving is done when the asphalt mixture is extremely hot. When it rains, the asphalt cools far too quickly. If the base is recently laid, rain can create steam between the top layer of the road and the base. Over time, as the steam cools, water gets trapped between the base and top layer of asphalt.
Should you lay asphalt in the rain?
Unless you absolutely have to, no, you shouldn’t pave surfaces with asphalt in the rain. Rainy conditions should be avoided where possible, as they can cause complications and, ultimately, set the road or driveway laying project back.
If you’re looking for further advice or would like to get a road paving quote, get in touch with our road surfacing contractors today. With depots in Peterborough and Romford, we cover the entirety of the UK, serving both commercial and residential clients. For a free, no-obligation quote, speak to our team today!
