Why Use Infrared Asphalt Repair?
Infrared asphalt repair is a unique method of fixing asphalt in which new hot-mix asphalt is blended directly with your existing asphalt and compacted to create a seamless restoration.
With infrared asphalt repair, our crew will clean the area scheduled for repair to remove loose aggregate, sand or water. Then that area will be heated and raked before new material is applied, graded and compacted.
The benefits of infrared asphalt repair include:
It lets you recycle — Why waste perfectly good asphalt when you can repair and recycle with infrared asphalt repair?
It’s a more permanent repair — This type of repair leaves your driveway with seamless welded edges, and no saw-cut joints that allow water to seep in and degrade your repairs, or the freeze/thaw issues that come with traditional methods. The fact that this method eliminates water seepage is one of the chief benefits of infrared asphalt repair.
It saves money — This repair method requires much less new asphalt, less equipment and less manpower. It’s a green process that saves money and makes sense.
Time Saving — Infrared asphalt repair takes half the time of traditional repair methods, with just one trip to the job site, less noise and less mess. There’s no need for saw-cutting, jackhammering, loading, trucking or disposal.
Typical Uses — Trip hazards, paving “cold” seams, isolated failures, catch basins, manhole repairs, bird baths, potholes, utility cuts, decorative imprints and thermoplastic markings.
These versatile infrared asphalt recyclers are designed for common occurring asphalt problems – repair improper seams, sunken utility cuts, lower elevated or buckled surfaces, refinish manholes, potholes or other broken areas.
The penetrating infrared rays of the recyclers quickly soften the existing asphalt without burning. Typically the top 1 1/2″ to 2″ of asphalt is ready for raking within 10-15 minutes.
- Remove bird baths, lower high spots, repair catch basins
- Eliminate potholes, remove oil spots
- Correct asphalt imperfections & alligator cracking
- Thermoplastic installation
- Printing Asphalt
Once softened and scarified, hot mix is added to bring the recycled area back to proper grade. Compacting produces a permanent hot patch level with the existing asphalt. Water seepage is eliminated because the repair is seamless. This is one of the biggest benefits of the infrared driveway repair process.
Need help? If you’ve spotted any of these problems in your driveway or parking lot, Beckage Sealcoating can help. Contact us today to learn how we can make your asphalt look better and feel safer.
Infrared Asphalt Patching — Myths and Facts
Infrared patching of asphalt pavement, often referred to as cold weather patching or seamless cold weather asphalt repair, is a temporary solution to pavement failures and an alternative to cold patch asphalt. The process consists of heating up an area of pavement to make it workable, raking the existing asphalt material (sometimes adding some new) to cover any inconsistencies, and rolling to finish.
Some common uses for Infrared Patching are:
- A means of repair in a newly installed asphalt overlay where a raveled area can be heated and rolled so as not to create new seams
- Repair of frost heaves
- Elevation adjustments around valve covers and manholes
- Bonding speed bumps to existing asphalt surfaces
- Creating stamped patterns in existing asphalt for aesthetics.
However, Infrared Patching is NOT a permanent repair and is NOT a recommended solution to most asphalt failures. Asphalt typically fails due to a combination of vehicle/truck loading, the thickness of the pavement section, poor drainage, and/or poor subgrade conditions. In these conditions, removal and replacement of the failed asphalt is the best solution.
Limitations — Infrared repairs have severely limited success in the following scenarios:
- Oxidized and raveled pavement – Not enough binder left in surface to “rejuvenate” and hold together without post-patch raveling
- On surfaces that have been sealed or chip sealed with coal tar or other emulsions however there are exceptions
- Thin asphalt sections (2″ or less such as those in Florida) – Since Infrared is a true surface-only repair, a failed pavement meaning failed base cannot benefit from this type of repair. It should be replaced in the areas of failure to avoid future rework
- Alligator cracked or fatigue cracked asphalt – These failures are structural in nature and must be addressed by a permanent means of removal and replacement
- Exposed potholes – exposed potholes require removal of the pavement surrounding the pothole, compaction of the existing base material, and import of new asphalt to complete the permanent repair. Anything less will deliver a sub-standard product
- Areas of heavy loading – Infrared patching adds no new strength and can actually weaken the patch area
- Areas with gate-loops, areas within 2-ft of wood or metal, parking garages, dumpsters.
Make the right choice when selecting the proper repair type for your asphalt pavement. Make the choice that works. Choose a permanent solution in cases of base failure.
Facts About Rejuvenators and the Infrared Restoration Process
Infrared restoration has proven to be the finest method available for repairing the majority of asphalt defects. It, however, is not the solution for all defects. Asphalt defects caused by base failures must be repaired by removing and replacing the existing material from the sub base up through the wear course.
When using infrared for repairing asphalt there are two important concerns that must be addressed: The existing asphalt pavement that will be recycled has aged over time. Exposure to the sun and the elements over time oxidized the light oils component in asphalt. During the infrared heating process, as the temperature of the asphalt is increased to above approximately 375 degrees Fahrenheit, the oxidation of light oils are accelerated. It is also important to know that at around the 500 degree mark, asphalt will burn (coke) rendering it useless for recycling.
Maltenes are the light oil component of asphaltic cement (AC). Asphaltenes are the black solids that provide the gluing characteristics of AC. The maltenes are the medium through which the asphaltenes are dispersed. The engineers from the Asphalt Institute recommend using a maltenes rejuvenator. The rejuvenator that we recommend using in conjunction with the Infrared Restoration Process is a product called Cyclogen LE. Cyclogen is a maltenes rejuvenator. Therefore, by adding Cyclogen to the asphalt after it has been heated you are overcoming the two possible causes of problems. You are replacing the portion of the asphalt that has been compromised by either natural aging or the heating process.
Benefits include: Seamless Repair—Prevents water from infiltrating. Settlement—Because the infrared restoration is made 90 days after the repair is made future settlement is unlikely. Cost—Infrared restorations are much less expensive then mill and replace repairs. Convenience—Infrared restorations are quicker to install and much less disruptive to traffic. Customer Satisfaction—“Only infrared restoration returns the street to ‘like new’ condition.” Faster—25 minute repair means minimal disruption to traffic. No cold joints—prevents future entryway for water (future pothole).
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