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The Most Common Road Resurfacing Methods

Road resurfacing not only makes the roads safer to drive; it also indirectly contributes to safety by making road markings last longer and be easier to read.

Resurfacing is a road maintenance technique in which a new layer of asphalt is laid over the existing road surface rather than having to replace both the top and underlying base completely. Resurfacing is appropriate to use when the subgrade of the road remains in good condition even if the upper layer is heavily damaged.

While there are a variety of methods that can be used to resurface roads, these three are among the most commonly used methods:

Overlay

This method of road resurfacing involves a fresh layer of asphalt being applied in order to restore its structural integrity as well as extending its life cycle. It is also the method that takes the shortest time to complete.
When done well, overlay resurfacing can last from fifteen to eighteen years depending on factors including how many heavy vehicles use the road, its exposure to harsh weather patterns and how thick the new asphalt layer is.

This method takes the shortest time to complete. Once the overlay is completed, however, traffic should be kept off the road for at least a day. After this, fresh road markings can be applied on the new surface.
Hot-in-Place

This road resurfacing method is used when there are minimal cracks on the surface and the asphalt binder is soft enough to accept the new asphalt. Specialized equipment resembling a train is used to heat the asphalt and re-process it in the area where it is to be replaced.

The existing asphalt is removed and then new asphalt mix is applied in its place. This method is not only effective and takes minimal time to complete, it is also environmentally-friendly since it requires minimal resources as well as being cost-effective. This method lasts from eight to fifteen years.

The Hot-in-Place method is the best one to use if the period when the road is closed needs to be minimized. Once the hot asphalt has been compacted and allowed to cool, the road can be reopened to traffic with no delays.

Mill and Fill

This method is used when the asphalt has already degraded to the point where cracks and other structural defects have already made their way below the surface.

In this method, the damaged asphalt is milled to remove it and then fresh asphalt is applied and compacted before being allowed to cool. While it can take a longer time to apply, once it’s done, traffic can be allowed on the resurfaced roads in a matter of hours. This method also lasts from fifteen to eighteen years.

Once the road resurfacing has been completed, a maintenance program needs to be budgeted to ensure that the road stays in good condition. Road markings should also be included in this maintenance plan, since they will have to be periodically refreshed to guarantee that they maintain their visibility and their retro-reflectivity.

Here's How Each Road Surfacing Technique Works

Over a period of time, public and private roads, including driveways, tend to become worn down. When this happens, it is important to have the road resurfaced by a construction team. Road resurfacing is an important process that makes our roads safer and contributes to longevity and clarity of road markings. There are a variety of road resurfacing methods and materials used to facilitate this process. How do they work? Which methods are recommended by concrete suppliers? Keep reading to find out.

What Is Road Resurfacing

Road resurfacing is the process that restores any type of roadway after years of wear and tear. Roads tend to become worn out due to the volume and intensity of traffic, weather conditions, and natural effects. Large projects that cover public roads are typically resurfaced by selected local civil engineers, but smaller projects (such as your driveway) can be done by small-business contractors. Road resurfacing is designed to restore and improve the road texture or profile, while improving its skid resistance.

Common Road Resurfacing Methods

Concrete

Mainly used on local roads, concrete is commonly used to resurface roadways. There are two main categories of concrete roadways: Jointed Plain Concrete Pavement (JPCP) and Joint Reinforced Concrete Pavement (JRCP). Both of these options are used to help prevent cracks from forming in the road. Concrete is favourable in road resurfacing projects since it lasts longer than asphalt does, and it’s also significantly stronger. It is, however, more costly to lay if you are using PCC (Portland concrete) without a mixture of fly ash. You may choose to use fly ash instead if you wish to lower the project’s cost without compromising the concrete’s strength and durability.