How Many Kinds Of Surface Protection Treatments Exist For Asphalt?

Are you spending a fortune rehabilitating your asphalt driveways, parking lots, or any other blacktop surfaces? Well, you are not the only one. Asphalt is a popular pick for many homeowners and commercial property owners because of its durability and relatively low cost.

When it comes to asphalt, one of the main concerns people have is its vulnerability to staining, fading, and cracking. Asphalt is susceptible to various external factors damaging its surface, from the sun’s UV rays to oil spills and gas leaks.

Luckily, asphalt surface protection treatments can help extend the life of your driveway and enhance its beauty.

Chip Seals:

Chip sealing, or seal coating, is a standard bituminous pavement preservation procedure. It seals fine cracks in the pavement surface and prevents water infiltration in the pavement structure below. Chip seals also improve skid resistance and friction.

The procedure involves applying a bituminous binder to the pavement surface followed by a layer of aggregate. A heavy roller then compacts the binder/aggregate mixture. Seal coating protects an asphalt driveway from fuel spillages, oxidization, and sunlight.

Slurry Seals:

Slurry seals are a mixture of mineral filler, asphalt emulsion, and fine aggregate. They are used to:

• Fill minor cracks and voids
• Level uneven surfaces
• Improve skid resistance
• Extend the life of an asphalt pavement.

The application process involves applying a slurry layer onto the pavement surface. Squeegees or spreader boxes can also be used to apply the slurry.

Slurry seals do not provide any structural benefit to the pavement. But they are a very cost-effective treatment for preserving the existing pavement surface, enhancing appearance, and restoring or enhancing friction.

Micro Surfacing:

Micro-surfacing is similar to a slurry seal; however, it utilizes a polymer-modified emulsion instead of an asphalt emulsion. The addition of polymers to the slurry improves its ability to adhere to the pavement surface, resist cracking, and provide a long-lasting wear surface.

Micro-surfacing can be applied in a thicker layer than slurry seals, so it is often used to repair moderate to severe damage to the pavement surface. It also improves skid resistance.

Scrub Seal:

Scrub sealing is a three-step process that begins with applying a pre-mix aggregate to an existing asphalt pavement surface. A sweeper machine then clears the surface of any loose material. The final step is to apply a polymer-modified emulsion over the aggregate.

Scrub seal is a superior alternative for severely cracked asphalt pavement with a stable structure.

Fog Seals:

A fog seal is a liquid asphalt emulsion (a thin liquid oil) application to an existing pavement surface. A fog seal gets its name from the spray method, also known as “fogging.”

In fog seal jobs, asphalt emulsions include:

• Globules of paving asphalt
• Water
• An “emulsifying agent” or surfactant
• Occasionally a “rejuvenator.”

Soap is a common form of surfactant. The surfactant’s job is to keep the liquid asphalt and water from separating. The rejuvenator’s function is to replenish some pavement binders lost to oxidation and weathering.

Conclusion:

Affordable Sealing & Striping, Inc is a full-service asphalt maintenance contractor in Longmont. From asphalt sealcoating to hot pour crack filling and more, we have the experience and expertise to get the job done right.

Contact us today for a free estimate!

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