Asphalt Paving in Chehalis, WA

Asphalt paving in Chehalis has to respect the water. The Chehalis River runs through the valley and is joined here by the Newaukum River, and the city has seen major floods: a 100-year flood in February 1996 closed Interstate 5 for four days, a record flood in December 2007 closed it again, and in January 2022 floodwater shut a stretch between Chehalis and Centralia for hours. Pavement that sits wet, or gets flooded, needs a base that drains and a surface that sheds water fast.

Climate

Chehalis averages 45.02 inches of precipitation a year, with 6.59 inches in January alone, and a January mean low of 34.7 degrees. It has also reached 107 degrees, in July 2009. Pavement here has to handle soggy winters and the occasional very hot summer day. A properly compacted base and the right asphalt thickness handle both.

Building for wet ground

Where driveways or lots sit low or near drainage paths, we recommend a thicker crushed rock base and careful grading so water runs off rather than pooling. After a flood, pavement that was underwater should be checked for soft spots and edge damage. We assess what can be patched and what needs to be rebuilt.

Historic downtown and older homes

Chehalis became the Lewis County seat in 1874 and incorporated on November 23, 1883. It has 11 places on the National Register of Historic Places, including the downtown historic district listed in 1997, the 1889 Hotel Washington and the 1923 Chehalis Theater. Older homes nearby often have narrow or patched driveways, and we handle both small replacements and repairs.

Permits

If your project changes a driveway approach in the public right-of-way, check with the City of Chehalis before work starts. We raise this at the estimate.

When to pave

The drier months, late spring to early fall, are best for paving and sealing. Crack sealing before the rainy season keeps water out of the base.

After high water

If floodwater has covered your driveway or lot, wait until the ground has dried before deciding on repairs. Then look for edges that have been undercut, sections that move underfoot, and new cracks or depressions. Those point to base damage. Areas that were only wet on the surface often just need cleaning and crack sealing.

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