Road sealing is one of the most common ways to protect and extend the life of a road, driveway or car park. At its simplest, a seal is a waterproof layer that takes the brunt of the traffic and weather so the more expensive layers underneath do not have to. Here is how it works and what is involved.
What a seal actually does
A road seal is usually a mix of binder and aggregate spread over a prepared surface to form a paved, waterproof layer. By smoothing out bumps and small cracks it restores grip and texture, and by keeping water out it stops the surface breaking down from the top. That protection is what saves you from costly repairs to the base further down the track.
Why it is worth doing
Sealing pays for itself over time. A properly sealed surface lasts longer and needs fewer repairs, and a fresh seal lifts the look of a tired, faded surface so it feels like new. In short, sealing:
- protects against traffic, vehicle fluids and water
- extends the life of the surface and reduces repair costs
- keeps grip and skid resistance up, which is a safety win
- tidies up the appearance
The steps we follow
Before we seal anything, our team checks the surface and fills any cracks and potholes so the road is in good shape to start with. Sealing works best on a surface that is sound underneath, so we assess it properly and give you a written scope before we begin. The sealing itself runs in three broad steps:
- A thin layer of heated seal mixture goes down, followed by a spread of aggregate.
- The surface is compacted so the stone beds firmly into the binder, and loose stone is swept off.
- The seal needs up to a couple of days to harden fully. Traffic can usually pass over it at reduced speed during that time.
The treatments we use
Different jobs call for different seals, and the right one depends on the surface, the traffic, the climate and the budget. The treatments we work with include:
- Hot bitumen seals, the common spray seal for many road and driveway surfaces
- Emulsion seals, similar but applied at lower temperatures, good for extending the life of an existing surface
- Dust seals, used to stabilise gravel and dirt roads and cut dust
- Hot mix asphalt, for a smoother, more durable finish on busier surfaces
- Primerseal, a first coat that is later covered by a final seal or asphalt
- Spray seals, single or multiple layers of binder and aggregate
Sealing across South East Queensland
We are a fully insured team working across Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Ipswich, the Sunshine Coast and Toowoomba, and we will walk you through the process before any work starts. If you want to keep a road, driveway or car park in good shape for years to come, look at our spray seal and hot mix asphalt pages, then get in touch for a written quote at no cost.