What Is A Chipseal?
A chipseal is an application of asphalt emulsion followed with an aggregate "rock" cover. It is constructed to produce an initial placement or maintain an existing asphalt pavement
A chip seal surface consists of an application of asphalt emulsion followed by aggregate or "rock chips" (ranging in size from 3/8 to 1/4 of an inch). After giving the surface a week or two to cure, we apply a "fog seal," a thin layer of oil, which reduces the amount of loose rock and helps smooth the roadway
Why Do We Chipseal?
A chipseal application to a road or street has many positive objectives:
Asphalt deteriorates in time because of the sun and weather. A chipseal helps seal the surface and provides an armor coat for skid and weather resistance. The best aspect of chipsealing is economics.
Chipseal to maintain the existing pavement in its present condition by delaying further aging due to water and sun - this is equally important to new streets;
Chipseal to change the texture of the road for skid resistance;
Chipseal to supply minimal additional strength to the pavement;
Chipseal to provide a moisture barrier
Chipseal to correct existing pavement problems by sealing cracks
A good application should last eight years with a minimum of maintenance required
Our complete cost for chipsealing is less than $13,000 per 12’ lane mile, and chipsealing preserves the roadway surface for about eight years. In comparison, a two-inch road overlay costs approximately $38,000 per mile and lasts 12 years.
How Is It Done?
Prep Work
First, the road surface needs to be properly cleaned of debris and any holes patched
.
Asphalt Application
Next, an asphalt distributor truck starts by shooting only one lane at a time with asphalt emulsion to assure an even application. The asphalt used is applied at a temperature between 140 and 180 degrees Fahrenheit. After cooling, this asphalt remains slightly flexible to maintain its hold on the rocks.
Rock Application
Another piece of equipment, the chip spreader, follows as rapidly as possible with a rock application, preferably within one minute. The asphalt must be fluid so the rock will be embedded by the displacement of the asphalt. The rocks are an aggregate crushed to a special specification for size and cleanliness.
Rolling
Next, a rubber-tire roller is used to set the rock into the fresh oil. This is done to get the flat sides of the rock down and produce a tighter chipseal. It takes two to four passes of the roller to set the rock.
Sweeping
Sweeping is done at the completion of the chipseal process to remove surplus rock from the surface. This loose rock can grind and loosen rock set in the chipseal and damage the project. Sweeping is done as soon as possible after the asphalt has set up (three to seven days).
Fog seal
Kent’s Oil allows the customer the option of a fog seal after the chipseal. A fog seal helps set the rock and control flying rock and dust. Fog sealing also adds life to a chipseal. This is a separate process that follows sweeping by up to three weeks.
