Expectations
The expectations of a chip seal are quite simply, to seal cracks and keep water from infiltrating into the pavement structure. This will extend the life of the roadway by 5 to 10 years depending on the condition of the roadway, when the treatment was constructed, and the materials used in the construction. Chip seals are the most effective when they are placed at the right time on the right road and with the right construction practices. The success of chip seals are typically impacted by any of the following factors: pavement condition, weather, traffic, material selection, equipment calibration, construction best practices and proper inspection.
In order to increase the chances of success of a chip sealing project, a best practice would be to have a short training session before the projects starts with the contractor and agency representative on the project to ensure that everyone is on the same page.
| Chip Seal | Optimum Performance | Average Performance | Stop-Gap Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pavement Condition | B | C | D |
| PCI Condition | 80 | 60 | 40 |
| Life Extension |
7 -10 years |
3 - 5 years | 1 - 3 years |
EXAMPLES OF ROADS THAT HAVE BEEN TREATED WITH Chip Seal OVER VARIOUS STAGES IN SERVICE LIFE:
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5 year old chip seal
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10 year old chip seal
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15 year old chip seal
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