Chip sealing is a popular pavement preservation method used by municipalities, counties, and highway departments to extend the life of road surfaces. While it might not have the sleek appearance of fresh asphalt, chip sealing offers an affordable, efficient, and durable option for maintaining roads and improving safety. Here’s an overview of what chip sealing involves, how it works, and why it’s a smart choice for road maintenance.
What is Chip Sealing?
Chip sealing, also known as tar and chip, is a surface treatment that combines a layer of liquid asphalt with a layer of crushed stone (chips). It’s not a full resurfacing or repaving, but rather a maintenance method that rejuvenates existing pavement, seals cracks, and adds traction.
The Chip Sealing Process
The chip seal process typically involves the following steps:
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- Preparation
The existing road surface is cleaned thoroughly to remove dust, debris, and loose material. Any necessary minor repairs are completed ahead of time to ensure a smooth application. Pre Sweep Completed by our crews in the process https://octogroup.co.nz/road-sweeping/ - Application of Asphalt Emulsion
A thin layer of hot liquid asphalt emulsion is sprayed evenly over the roadway. This acts as the adhesive that binds the stone chips to the surface. - Spreading of Aggregate (Chips)
Crushed stone chips are immediately spread over the hot asphalt using a chip spreader. The stones are usually of uniform size and washed to ensure good bonding. - Rolling
Pneumatic-tired rollers press the chips into the asphalt, embedding them into the surface and helping to ensure a tight seal. - Curing and Sweeping
After a short curing period, the road is typically swept to remove loose or excess chips. The first sweep generally occurs within 48-72 hours using a tractor broom and manual blowers to clear intersections, gutters, and corners. Tractor Broom Sweeping https://octogroup.co.nz/chip-seal-sweeping/ , Machine Blowing, Road Sweeping https://octogroup.co.nz/road-sweeping/ - Post Sweeping
- Preparation
After the initial rolling and curing period, two rounds of sweeping are typically performed to remove loose or excess chips and ensure a clean, safe surface A second sweep, typically within a few days, uses a vacuum truck to pick up any remaining debris and fine particles. These post-sweeps are critical for both safety and long-term performance of the chip seal surface
Benefits of Chip Sealing
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- Cost-Effective
Chip sealing is significantly less expensive than full asphalt repaving—often one-third to one-fifth the cost—making it ideal for rural roads or large-scale maintenance projects. - Extends Pavement Life
It acts as a protective barrier, sealing out water and preventing oxidation, which are major causes of pavement deterioration. - Improved Safety
The added texture from the aggregate improves skid resistance, especially in wet or icy conditions. - Quick Application and Minimal Disruption
Roads can often be reopened to traffic within a few hours, reducing downtime compared to full resurfacing. - Environmentally Friendly
By preserving existing pavement and reducing the need for new materials, chip sealing has a smaller environmental footprint than traditional resurfacing.
- Cost-Effective
When is Chip Sealing Appropriate?
Chip sealing is best suited for roads in fair to good condition, where the underlying structure is still solid. It’s a preventative measure, not a fix for severely damaged or potholed roads. When used regularly, chip sealing can extend the lifespan of a road by 5 to 7 years or more.
Chip sealing may not be the most glamorous form of road maintenance, but its efficiency, cost savings, and long-term benefits make it a smart investment. For communities looking to stretch their maintenance budgets while keeping roads safe and functional, chip sealing offers a proven solution that combines practicality with performance.
Ready to enhance your roads with chip sealing? Contact Octo Group today for a free consultation.