Is your asphalt driveway starting to look like a patchwork quilt of cracks and potholes in Las Cruces, NM? Asphalt Patching is one of the most reliable ways to keep your pavement from completely falling apart, especially under the intense desert sun we get here in the Mesilla Valley. If you ignore those surface failures for too long, you will end up paying for a total Asphalt Replacement instead of a simple Asphalt Repair.
The Timeline: What to Expect From Start to Finish
Most residential Asphalt Patching jobs move faster than people think. For an average driveway or a small commercial lot, the actual physical work usually takes just one to 2 days. Day one typically involves cutting out the damaged sections, hauling away the old debris, and prepping the sub-base. Day two is all about laying down the fresh hot-mix asphalt and compacting it tight.
That said, do not plan on parking your vehicles on it right away. Asphalt needs time to cure. Even in our dry climate, you will want to keep cars off the new patch for at least 48 to 72 hours. If it is the peak of summer and temperatures are soaring over 100 degrees, that cooling process can take a bit longer. Valley Asphalt Solutions always tells homeowners to be patient during this curing window so you do not mar the fresh surface.
How to Prepare Your Property
Getting ready for an Asphalt Patching crew does not require a massive landscaping overhaul, but a little prep makes everything go smoothly. Clear out any vehicles, trailers, or basketball hoops from the work zone at least the night before. You will also want to turn off any automatic sprinkler systems that might spray water across the driveway while the crew is trying to lay hot material.
Keep in mind that our local soil conditions around Las Cruces can shift quite a bit, ranging from sandy loam to caliche layers. If your sub-base has settled or washed out from a heavy monsoon downpour, the prep work might take a little extra effort to ensure the new patch has a solid foundation to sit on.
Questions to Ask Before Signing a Contract
Before you hand over any money or sign on the dotted line, you need to make sure you are working with a reputable crew that knows local paving inside and out. Do not be afraid to grill them with a few straightforward questions:
- Are you cutting out the bad asphalt, or just throwing skin patches over the top? (You want full-depth removal for real longevity.)
- What kind of compaction equipment are you using to pack down the base and the new asphalt?
- Do you provide a written warranty on your workmanship?
For homes and businesses in Las Cruces, Valley Asphalt Solutions provides Asphalt Patching services that hold up against the elements year after year.