Is it OK to Pave a Driveway With Asphalt in Hot Weather?

Any temperature above 40 degrees Fahrenheit is good for working with asphalt

High Temperatures Better For Asphalt

High temperatures--over 90 degrees Fahrenheit--will not damage asphalt as it is laid and is actually better for the asphalt itself. However, these temperatures are rough for workers who can dehydrate or suffer heat exhaustion very quickly. Since asphalt is around 300 degrees Fahrenheit when laid, according to the National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA), workers must wear long pants and sleeves all of which makes the high temperatures even worse.

Low Temperatures Better For Workers

Asphalt is okay to work with at temperatures as low as 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Working in these cooler temperatures is much better for the workers. However, since asphalt cools much faster in these lower temperatures, it becomes much more difficult to work with.

Bottom Line

Moderate temperatures are best, but it is okay to work with asphalt in high and cold temperatures. At 80 degrees Fahrenheit, 1.5 inches of asphalt dries in 24 minutes compared to 16 minutes at 40 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the NAPA. The thicker the asphalt, the longer it takes to harden.

References

• National Asphalt Pavement Association