Gilsonite, Slurry Seal, Type II
1) How old is your asphalt?
Newer asphalt is smoother and the asphalt binders should not yet being coming apart as the material was made recently and compacted when put in place. GSB - Gilsonite Sealer and Binder will likely be the right seal for your asphalt at this time. In its name you can see it is a 1)sealer and a 2)binder it hydrates or rejuvenates the asphalt oil. For application this seal is sprayed on.
2) How heavy of traffic travels on your asphalt?
Heavy traffic roads are often sealed with a Type II Slurry seal this seal has aggregate or small gravel or rocks in it and to the untrained eye looks like the road has been repaved at first, but this is not asphalt. A special truck spreads the Type II seal on the road surface and it is not compacted afterward. Afterward loose pebble like rocks are spread across the road surface as heavy traffic slowly over time erodes the seal. This seal application is fast which is perfect for heavy traffic areas that cannot be closed off for long periods of time. This seal is the choice for city street maintenance and industrial complexes which receive semi trucks carrying heavy loads.
3) Older asphalt
It is common for asphalt to form cracks overtime as the ground moves under it, water and traffic erode it, and it is only a few inches thick. Asphalt with cracks will need to be crack filled with a hot rubberized crack seal before it is sealed. The seal common for asphalt that is not brand new is a slurry seal. Slurry Seal is a mud like seal that that can make asphalt with minor roughness seam smoother. It is applied by squeegee application or slurry buggy. Slurry buggy is a small motorized tank that pulls a long squeegee behind it to evenly coat the surface.
You may have also heard of SS/5050 oil or SS1H oil which is a oil used as a tack coat that goes on before asphalt is paved to help the new asphalt adhere or stick well.
Now that you know more, which seal is right for you??
Call us with your questions we are happy to help!
