Asphalt is becoming more and more popular each year as property owners discover how versatile it is for driveways, sidewalks, parking lots, and roads. While asphalt is durable, it experiences natural wear and tear over time. When damage occurs, one of the best ways to repair asphalt is through the infrared asphalt repair method.
Infrared asphalt repair is also referred to as infrared road repair (IRR). Infrared asphalt repair has many advantages, including time and money savings. Let’s dive into how IRR works and why it could be an excellent option for your home or business.
What Is Infrared Asphalt Repair?
Infrared rays are rays of light that fall just below red in the color spectrum. The rays can produce heat inside objects or materials. Infrared asphalt repair is a process that uses infrared technology to heat asphalt. The infrared rays heat the asphalt until it softens and can seamlessly blend in with current asphalt.
IRR is a popular method used for commercial pavement repairs, and it also works for a variety of home driveway damages. Infrared asphalt repair smooths and repairs blacktop surfaces without burning, scaling, or separating the asphalt.
During this process, old asphalt is recycled and reused, which creates a smoother finish and helps the environment. One of the biggest pros of infrared asphalt repair is that repairs can be made almost immediately without dramatically interrupting traffic or daily operations.
Things That Can Be Repaired
IRR is the preferred method of damage repair for a variety of needs, including:
- Dips or divots
- Potholes
- Cracks
- Uneven pavement
- Gouges
- Maintenance hole transitions
- Utility repairs
Infrared asphalt is also used to:
- Bond speedbumps to streets
- Create rumble strips on highways
- Remove oil spots
Things That Cannot Be Repaired
As you can see, there are many uses for infrared asphalt repair. However, it is not an appropriate method to use for the following conditions:
- Standing or pooling water
- Excessive dirt, mud, or debris
- Failing base or sub-base
- Completely failed surface
- Existing asphalt is thinner than 2 inches
- Traffic loads exceeding the designated thickness
- Coal tar sealed surfaces
The Repair Process
The infrared asphalt repair process is fast and efficient, especially when all the steps are followed precisely. The repair process can be completed all year round, regardless of the season, because infrared rays provide flexibility amid extreme temperatures.
IRR is completed with the following steps:
- Dirt, debris, and pooling water are removed from the area with a blower or broom.
- The infrared panel is positioned over the necessary area.
- 350-degree heat is applied to the area. The heated area is larger than the area needing repair. Small areas typically require seven to ten minutes of heating, while larger regions usually need closer to 25 minutes of heat exposure. Exposure time depends on the season, asphalt mixture, and depth of the existing asphalt.
- The infrared panel is removed.
- The softened asphalt mixture is raked to become level with the existing asphalt. New oxidized oils and asphalt rejuvenators are mixed in.
- A small amount of fresh asphalt mixture is added on top, and the area is graded using a paving lute. Before the entire area is leveled, the perimeter of the repair is “pinched” with the full weight of a paving roller.
- The newly patched area is typically ready for traffic in less than 30 minutes.
Benefits of Infrared Asphalt Repair
The infrared asphalt repair process is simple, and it is helpful for a wide variety of applications. Many commercial business owners, government entities, and homeowners choose infrared asphalt repair because it saves them time and money. Here’s how infrared asphalt repair pulls it all off:
Affordability
Asphalt is an eco-friendly recycled material that not only helps the environment but also saves money. The recycled materials include gravel, sand, crushed rocks, rubber tires, and byproducts of steel manufacturing. The materials and recycling process are cost-effective, and it’s possible to recycle the same asphalt multiple times. Costs are dramatically reduced because companies don’t have to purchase new materials.
Since IRR only requires patching a small area instead of paving the entire surface, far fewer materials are used, lowering costs.
Minimal Labor Required
Substantial road repair projects can require six or more contractors, but infrared asphalt repair only needs two or three people to complete the project. Since fewer contractors are required, property owners and municipalities save money on labor costs. IRR projects are simple, so intense labor is not needed.
No underground systems get disrupted during an IRR repair. Phone lines, plumbing systems, and internet cables are left untouched. Additionally, since workers can focus on one small area, portions of the city or traffic are not disrupted.
Fast Installation
You won’t have to worry about paying for an entire day of labor because infrared asphalt repair is fast and efficient. The process of mixing, laying, and smoothing the asphalt only takes an hour or two at most, and when the project is complete, the repaired area can be ready for traffic in as little as 20 minutes.
Customers quickly get deterred when roads and parking lots are unavailable. With the speedy installation process of infrared asphalt repair, your business will save valuable time.
Discover the Benefits of Infrared Asphalt Repair Today
Infrared asphalt repair is an efficient process that saves time and money. When the simple step-by-step process is completed correctly, you can enjoy a smooth and safe blacktop in no time. As more and more businesses, government entities, and property owners choose infrared asphalt repair, don’t miss out on your opportunity to save time, money, and resources on your necessary repairs.
If you’re looking for a trustworthy asphalt paving company to take on infrared asphalt repair, you can count on Richfield Blacktop. With over 60 years of experience, we guarantee successful results. Contact us to receive a free quote today!