Frequently Asked Questions

For your convenience, our most common customer questions are answered right here.

Not finding what you want? Reach out directly through our Contact Us page. We always appreciate input from our Customers, as well as provide an outlet for you to gain information regarding the industry.

Q: How long does asphalt take to cool? When is it drivable?

A: The time depends on the weather and season. It can be as little as a couple hours or over 24 hours. We recommend 24 hours. However not all parking lots can be shut down for that amount of time. That is why we work with our customers to ensure the logistics of their lots are worked out prior to paving.

Q: Are there different kinds of asphalt?

A: There are different types of asphalt. The main one being the standard asphalt you see on the roadways and in most parking lots. However there are types of standard asphalt, based on the amount of aggregates present in the mix. The other distinct kind of asphalt is porous asphalt. Porous asphalt is designed to let water flow through it into the sub-base. The sub-grade used for porous is different than standard asphalt. Larger rocks without sand and dirt are used so that water can flow through, deeper into the ground.

Q: When can you sealcoat parking lots?

A: Sealcoating season begins when the temperatures begin to be consistently in the 60 degree range. Those temperatures allow sealcoat to properly dry and the lot to reopened. So, here in Washington the season can begin anywhere from late April to late May. Also, we only sealcoat when it is not raining. Rain will dilute the sealcoat and wash areas away, causing a less than satisfactory product. For Premier Paving, less the satisfactory is unacceptable. Sunny days with temperatures above 60 degrees are best, allowing the fastest dry time possible.

Q: How long does sealcoat take to dry?

A: Several factors effect the dry time for sealcoat. The first is the number of coats that are applied. For most parking lots, we apply two coats of sealer. The second factor is the air temperature. The third factor is amount of asphalt that can have sun exposure versus shade. One coat of sealer on a sunny and warm day can dry as quickly as one to two hours. Two coats on the same day can dry as fast as 4-6 hours. However on asphalt with limited sun-exposure, sealcoat can take as long 24 hours to fully dry. We work with customers on establishing the best plan for sealcoating their property.

Q: What are the steps in maintaining my parking lot?

A: We focus on developing maintenance plans for our customers to ensure that they are maintaining their value and using their budgets in the most effective way possible. The first step in caring for a parking lot is to address any failed areas. Failed areas are pot-holes, sinking areas, and heavily cracked sections. We remove and replace the asphalt in these areas to ensure the lot is structurally sound. The second step is to address the maintenance cycle of parking lots, meaning crack-sealing and sealcoating. We crack-seal prior to sealcoating to ensure that water will not be moving through the asphalt preventing further damage. The next step is sealcoat the lot with commercial grade asphalt emulsion sealer. After sealcoating has been performed, the parking lot needs to be striped so that the parking stalls and other stencils are visible on the lot.

Q: How can I fix the broken curbing in my lot?

A: Broken and displaced curb can cause a major issue in safety and curb appeal for parking lots. Removing and replacing all the curbing is not always needed for addressing this problem. We can remove and replace the broken sections, while leaving the sections of unbroken curb in place. We dig out the broken curb and remove it. Then we bring in curbing machines and extrude new curb to match the existing curbing on the property, whatever the type or size that is currently there. This helps keeps costs significantly lower compared to replacing all curbing on property.

Q: What's the difference between installing concrete and asphalt?

A: When a customer is deciding on whether to install asphalt or concrete they need to look at two factors. The first factor is their preference for the aesthetic approach to the property and the current layout. The second factor is cost. Asphalt and concrete have comparable durability and life. However, asphalt can be installed at a significantly lower cost. It is common for us to replace previous broken concrete areas with asphalt. However we enjoy being able to offer our customers both options to meet their needs.

Q: What is Crack-Seal?

A: Crack-seal is an asphalt product that fills the voids in cracks in the pavement. Crack-seal prevents water from entering the asphalt. Crack-seal is a critical factor in ensuring that your asphalt has the longest life possible. As an asphalt-based product, crack-seal bonds with asphalt for a time-frame of 4-5 years. Before the crack-seal can be applied, the crack needs to cleaned out with pressurized air or pressure washing. This ensures the life of crack-seal and the bond to the asphalt.

Q: How is a proper asphalt patch performed?

A: There are several steps to properly repair damaged areas of asphalt. The first step in repairing the asphalt is to saw-cut or grind the edges of the asphalt. Second, the broken asphalt is hauled off-site. Third, we apply crushed rock. Fourth, is to compact and grade the rock to create the proper base. This is a critical step, because the strength of the base has a direct effect on the life of the asphalt. Fifth, we pave new asphalt at a depth of 2″-3″. Sixth, compact the asphalt extensively with rollers and plate compactors to ensure the asphalt is properly compacted and has the correct finish. Lastly, we seal the edges with crack-seal to ensure no water will enter the asphalt and hinder the life of the patch.