Chip off the old block: Why chip seal is important for roads

What’s the deal with chip seal? It may seem like a nuisance, but it’s really helping roads last another five to eight years, depending on the surface below.

Chip seal means adding a protective coating to an existing road surface. Trucks use asphalt emulsion or hot liquid asphalt and then cover it with aggregate, which is a very specific mix of several types of natural stone. Chip seal:

• Prevents water from penetrating the roadbed
• Fills and seals cracks in old pavement
• Provides an improved reflective surface for nighttime driving and an anti-glare surface during wet weather
• Provides a skid-resistant surface
• AND Chip seal is 15-20% cheaper than pavement overlays!

Remember: Take it slow when driving through a new chip seal. Driving too fast can cause loose chips to fly, creating a hazard to pedestrians, motorcyclists and your windshield. A good rule of thumb is 35 mph or lower.