U.S. Pavement Services now offers its customers a new green technology in asphalt maintenance: infrared asphalt repairs. Infrared repairs, described in more detail below, means a seamless patch that greatly reduced downtime and cost. Patch paving repairs have long been a good value as part of a progressive asphalt maintenance program. When an asphalt surface is in otherwise sound condition but develops some localized areas of spider web cracks, broken pavement, or potholes, repairing the damaged sections of asphalt is far more cost-effective than repaving the entire parking lot. With good technique, patch paving provides a long-lasting repair that is nearly invisible after sealcoating, and greatly extends the useful life of a parking surface. Infrared asphalt repair makes patch paving an even better value for the customer.
What is Infrared Asphalt Repair and How does it Work?
Infrared light is long-wave light just beyond the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. It is invisible to the eye and passes through air without heating it, but is very effective at transmitting thermal energy to and heating solid objects. Infrared radiation can heat and soften asphalt to a depth of several inches without creating damaging high surface temperatures that would occur with direct flame heating of the asphalt.
For asphalt repair applications, an infrared heater is used to heat and soften the asphalt to a distance of about a foot around any broken pavement. Deteriorated asphalt is removed and the repair area is filled to grade with new asphalt and compacted with a vibratory roller. The compaction process creates a thermal bond between the old asphalt and new. The repair is literally "seamless" and not subject to joint failure.
Why are Infrared Repairs more Cost Effective than other Methods?
Asphalt repairs have typically been done by the cut and patch paving method. Sections of damaged pavement are cut square, ripped out, regraded, and then repaved with bituminous binder and bituminous topcoat asphalt. Edges are emulsified to bond the new pavement to the old. This method results in a cold bond between old asphalt and new, which is a potential weak point over time. Infrared repairs result in a seamless and highly durable thermal bond between old asphalt and new. Additionally, infrared repairs are environmentally green. As an in-place reclamation process, so less old asphalt has to be hauled away for disposal and less new asphalt brought to the site, resulting in less energy consumed by transportation of materials and production of virgin asphalt, as well as less impact on the property. Infrared pavement repairs are frequently up to 23% less expensive than the cut and patch method, and the finished product has the same or better life expectancy as the surrounding asphalt. Infrared repair is arguably the best asphalt patching method available.
Continuing a Tradition of Service Excellence
The infrared repair technology is an excellent addition to U.S. Pavement Service's advanced approach to progressive asphalt maintenance and prolonging the useful life of pavement surfaces. Beginning as a sealcoating business in 1985, we have expanded our line of pavement services to also include repaving, pothole repair, cut and patch paving, crackfilling, line painting, concrete repairs, and specialty/athletic court coatings. By doing all parking lot work in-house we are able to achieve total quality control over the delivery from start to finish. We are complete pavement specialists, providing a single source for all our customers' pavement needs. Effective quality control measures have allowed U.S. Pavement Services to enjoy the highest customer retention rates in the industry. Since 1985, U.S. Pavement Services has grown by providing the highest level of service in the industry.
Your pavement contractor can be the best resource in determining what new materials are best for your pavement investment. At U.S. Pavement Services, we provide our customers with free pavement inspection and consultation services, and regularly provide innovative cost effective solutions to a variety of pavement problems.
Michael Musto, president, U.S Pavement Services, Inc., Woburn, Mass. and Hartford, Conn.