Find out how road sealing works and the road sealing services offered in NSW by Road Ways
Road sealing is a common type of road resurfacing carried out on Australian roads and is designed to protect the integrity of the layers beneath from heavy traffic and harsh weather conditions.
Road seals usually consist of a mixture of gravel and bitumen which is spread over the area with a special machine to create a paved surface. By taking out bumps and cracks in the road, the road seal helps to restore grip and texture and creates a waterproof surface that’s safe to drive on.
The team at Road Ways ensures that all appropriate maintenance treatments, such as filling in cracks and potholes, are performed before the road seal is applied to make sure that the road is in optimal condition. We’ve put together this helpful guide so you can better understand how road sealing works and find out more about our road sealing services in New South Wales.
What are the benefits of road sealing?
According to Austroads, the Australian road system is made up of 810,000 kilometres of roads, of which 330,000 kilometres are surfaced with sprayed seals, asphalt or concrete. Road sealing protects and extends the lifespan of our roads by repairing surface damage and providing an extra layer of protection against traffic, vehicle fluids and water.
The low cost of road sealing is likely to save you money in the long term. A properly sealed road surface has an extended lifetime and reduces repair costs in the long run and could prolong the life of a road by over seven years.
Road sealing also helps improve the look of the asphalt. If the road has become faded in appearance, a fresh coat of road seal will enhance its aesthetic look, making it look and feel like new.
Road sealing is an amazing solution because it is:
- money saving.
- better for the environment.
- healthier for traffic flow.
- aesthetically superior.
When Is road sealing carried out?
Road design issues have been known to result in serious accidents. The International Road Assessment Program (iRAP) gathered data that revealed some of the most common causes of car crashes on our roads were the result of potholes forming on the surface of the road and uneven surfaces causing handling issues.
Road sealing is used in less densely populated areas in New South Wales that experience lower levels of traffic. By using road sealant, you can maintain the surface by repairing cracks and other small defects before the road gets into poor condition.
By using road sealing services in New South Wales, you can greatly reduce the number of accidents and ensure the community is protected. Road sealing is usually carried out when you need to:
- perform road maintenance at a lower cost.
- extend the time between overlays.
- eliminate the need to crack seal.
- enhance safety by providing extra skid resistance.
- protect against water damage by sealing cracks on the road surface.
- prevent effects of road aging due to water and sunlight.
What steps are involved in the road sealing process?
For preservation purposes, road seals should be applied to surfaces that are in good condition with no structural damage. After a consultation with our road sealing experts, we will carefully evaluate the resources required for the task so we can give our customers the best results.
Road Ways fully insured team will guide you through the process and supply you with a written agreement of the road sealing services that need to be undertaken before starting any project.
Road Ways uses a 3-step process to get the best results:
Step 1: A thin layer of the heated road seal mixture is applied on the road surface followed by the placement of gravel or small stones.
Step 2: The mixture is then compacted to ensure maximum adherence to the surface, and excess stone is swept from the surface.
Step 3: The road seal surface can require up to two days to harden properly. During the hardening period, traffic can still pass over the road’s surface at a reduced speed.
Types of Road Sealing Treatments
Here are some of the most common treatments Road Ways uses for road sealing services in New South Wales, depending on the pavement condition, climate, material, service life and budget preferences:
- Hot bitumen seals
- Emulsion seals
- Dust seals
- Hot mix asphalt
- Primerseal
- Spray seals.
Hot bitumen seals
Bitumen seals and paving are common road supplies used in paving a driveway for your home, commercial or industrial site. It is often used as a substitute for asphalt works and is the most commonly used product on road surfaces throughout New South Wales.
Emulsion seals
Emulsion seals are very similar to hot bitumen seals, but bitumen-water emulsion can be applied used at lower temperatures. One layer of emulsion seal can substantially extend the life of an existing road by creating a new surface and restoring grip and increasing waterproofing.
Dust seals
Dust seals are applied to existing asphalt or bitumen road surfaces to stabilise dirt and gravel roads, thus preventing dust pollution and erosion. The application of dust seal is an economical way to provide sealed roadways in locations with minimal road drainage, road formation and road pavement construction.
Hot mix asphalt
Hot mix asphalt is a combination of stone, sand or gravel mixed together using asphalt cement. The size of the aggregate used in the mixture depends on where the asphalt is to be laid and can be adapted for roads, driveways, car parks and sports courts.
Primerseal
Primerseal is sprayed onto a prepared, non-primed pavement surface. The primerseal is then covered with a layer of aggregate and rolled. Primerseals are not intended as a long-term surface and are typically covered by a final seal or asphalt after they are laid down.
Spray seals
Spray seal is an application of asphalt followed by an aggregate cover. This type of road seal treatment can be applied in single or multiple layers. Two layers of spray seal are referred to as a double or two coat seal.
Contact the road seal experts in New South Wales
If you want to keep your asphalt surface functional and smooth for years to come, you should consider a road sealing application from Road Ways. With years of experience, we can offer you a free quote on your next road seal project.
To find out more about what we do and the road sealing services we provide in New South Wales, give us a call on 1800 849 583, send us an email at info@roadways.au, or complete our online enquiry form by clicking here and one of our expert team members will be in touch with you.
