Tire Scuffing and Indentations

The Problem

Newly constructed asphalt parking lots and driveways may occasionally show surface tire scuff marks and indentations, particularly when opened to early traffic. Hot weather makes it more likely.

The Concern

Owners often read scuffing as a sign of poor-quality hot mix asphalt that won't last. This is not the case. Scuffing and tire marks are typically a minor aesthetic issue that will not affect the long-term performance of the pavement.

The Cause

Modern Performance Graded Asphalt Cement (PGAC) reduces cold-weather cracking but uses a "softer" asphalt cement that's more prone to scuffing in its first hot season. Contributing factors include:

• Summer sun on very-black new surfaces elevates surface temperatures
• Front-wheel-drive cars concentrate load on the front wheels
• Low-profile tires run higher pressures, increasing stress
• Lots opened to traffic within hours or days of final paving
• Tires hot from highway driving marking already-hot pavement
• Fine-aggregate parking lot mixes chosen for a tighter, prettier finish are more scuff-sensitive when warm

The Fix

There is no quick fix that doesn't risk more damage. Most marking disappears in time under normal traffic. Indentations deeper than about 5 mm — enough to trip on or hold ice — can be leveled by mild reheating and re-compaction, but repairs should be weighed carefully: the fix can look worse long-term than the mark it removes.

The Long-Term Effect

Scuffing is not a sign of reduced pavement life. Pavement that marks in hot weather will have the same lifespan as pavement placed in cool weather with no marking. (A genuinely weak subgrade shows up differently — as "alligator skin" cracking.)

The Conclusion

A well-constructed lot or driveway showing tire scuffing will still meet its designed life expectancy. Scuffing is not a sign of poor workmanship or improper materials. Worried about marks on your new surface? Send us a photo — we'll tell you honestly whether it's cosmetic or needs attention.