Tire Marks on New Asphalt
One of the most common questions we receive about new asphalt involves concerns over tire marks, scuffing, seams, cold joints, and minor unraveling. Many people envision asphalt behaving like black concrete, but asphalt is very different. Unlike concrete, asphalt goes through an 8–12 month curing process.
During this time, the pavement is still saturated with oil and remains relatively soft—especially in the intense heat of South Florida. This makes new asphalt more susceptible to power steering marks and minor surface wear, particularly in areas where vehicles turn their wheels while stationary.
The good news: this is temporary. Sunlight, normal traffic, and the natural curing process will cause these marks to fade and the surface to blend in, becoming almost unnoticeable. On rare occasions, we may lightly heat and compact an area to smooth it out.
After one year, many customers choose to sealcoat their driveway. Sealcoating not only protects and extends the life of the pavement but also gives it a fresh, uniform appearance. We recommend waiting at least six months before sealcoating so the oils in the asphalt have time to dissipate and the pavement fully hardens.
To address common concerns, we’ve prepared a video showing local projects that initially had tire marks, seams, minor birdbaths, unraveling, and other early imperfections—along with how they looked 12–24 months later. Project addresses are provided so you can see the results in person.
It’s worth noting that most of these projects were completed by respected, long-standing contractors using the same asphalt mix from the same plant. All passed rigorous inspections and were approved by engineering firms as well as city and county inspectors.
Watch the video and feel free to contact us with any additional questions or concerns.