How long before you can drive on new tarmac?

We often get asked by customers when you can drive on your new tarmac driveway and the answer can vary sometimes. It is always best to ask your contractor on the completion of the works since there could be a couple of reasons you should wait.

When you have had a new driveway laid with tarmac, normally once it has been machine rolled, you are good to drive straight away on it. However, 2 factors will play a deciding role in it and might create a slight delay.

The first is whether the new tarmac surface is a resurfacing project where it is being laid directly on top of a hard standing surface like an old tarmac driveway or concrete driveway. The second is the weather and how hot it currently is. Scorching weather can keep tarmac or SMA malleable and can lead to cracks forming on the new surface when it hardens later.

If it's a resurfacing project, you can drive right away on it regardless of the weather temperature once we are done machine rolling it. If it is a new base foundation along with either 2 wearing course finish or a singular wearing course at 3-inch depth, we recommend in hot weather to give it a day or so.

You will often see on a new tarmac or asphalt driveway installation, a hosepipe is used to wash down the surface. The reason for this is to aid in cooling off the tarmac after machine rolling to lock it in place.

If you need more help or want a free estimate, go visit our tarmac driveway installation services or call us on 0161 399 0523 to talk with our contractors.