Explanation of tire wear marks on new asphalt pavement
Did you just repave your driveway with a new layer of asphalt? Or maybe a fresh coat of sealer? Or maybe you’re a business owner who just finished construction on a new commercial parking lot? Either way, you may start to notice tire marks as business or traffic picks up. Tire scuff marks are a common occurrence on newly paved or sealed asphalt, and for many reasons. Before you pick up the phone to talk to your paving company, it’s a good idea to do a little more research and find out why tire marks appear on newly paved asphalt in the first place. Read on to learn what causes asphalt tire scuffing and get a better understanding of what to expect from your pavement.
tire wear
Fortunately, there is no need to panic about tire marks, as they will eventually fade after a few months. There are several reasons why newly paved or sealed asphalt is subject to tire wear, but they can all be narrowed down to five specific ones. If you have questions about any of these causes, feel free to contact your paving company afterwards to discuss them in detail. They can provide you with expert information, answers and advice on asphalt paving, sealing and more. For now, start by reviewing the 5 most common factors that cause asphalt tire marks, below.
1. The pavement era – New pavement, or pavement with a fresh coat of sealant, is more susceptible to tire scuff marks as it is still soft and pliable. As it hardens, the tire marks begin to fade. Asphalt requires flexibility to maintain maximum durability, but as it ages it loses this attribute.
2. Outside temperatures – The time of year affects the rate at which the asphalt hardens after it is laid. Hot weather will slow down the curing process, keeping the pavement soft and pliable a little longer than usual. And we already mentioned that soft pavement allows tire marks. That’s why most paving jobs are done in the fall and winter, when temperatures are cooler and the pavement cures faster.
3. Vehicle weight – New asphalt pavement that experiences frequent traffic from heavy vehicles, such as trucks, buses, and vans, is more susceptible to tire wear. Stationary 180-degree turns, sudden braking, sharp turns, and trucks with power steering are common causes of tire marks.
4. Tire Type – The type and size of tires play an important role in producing scuff marks on new pavement. Most standard tires can and will make this happen, but tires with aggressive tread patterns, steel-belted radials, and off-road trucks and SUVs will guarantee it.
5.Type of asphalt – The type of asphalt will also influence the probability that the tires will be scratched on the new pavement. The layer aggregate is less likely to scratch, whereas a thin seal coat will.