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Tar and Chip Paving.  We see tar and chip seal used in a variety of applications, but when does it work best?

While tar and chip seal paving is an exciting and affordable alternative to blacktop, every circumstance is unique. While tar and chip seal might be a great option for one customer, asphalt might be the better option for another.

Today, we’re going to look at five different scenarios in which tar and chip seal paving is an excellent choice for your parking lot, roadway, or ranch driveway.

1. When you’re working with a tight budget

Regardless of whether you’re developing a new parking lot, resurfacing a roadway, or giving your driveway a new look, tar and chip seal paving tends to be more affordable than asphalt paving across the board.

Generally speaking, customers can anticipate spending $2 – $5 per square foot for tar and chip seal, whereas they can expect to pay roughly $4 – $6 per square foot for traditional asphalt.

2. When you want to keep maintenance to a minimum

One of the biggest problems with an asphalt surface is its need for maintenance and repairs throughout its lifetime. Any cracks tend to expand as they are exposed to poor weather, as do any potholes.

A tar and chip seal surface, on the other hand, is largely self-repairing. Within reason, cracks can heal over time and don’t tend to worsen as easily as cracks in asphalt do.

3. When you want your surface to have some color

“Blacktop” is just that — black. What you see is what you get; and although many love the look of a clean, smooth asphalt surface, others would prefer to add a little color to their parking lots and driveways.

The tar and chip seal paving method allows customers to not only choose the type of aggregate used on their surfaces but also the color of the “chips”.

4.Tar and Chip is good when you need a little extra traction.

If you live in an area that sees plenty of wet weather or icy conditions, all it takes is flooding or an unusually cold evening to turn your asphalt surface into an unsafe area.

With the tar and chip seal method, the top layer of chips provides additional traction, which allows tires and shoes to maintain a better grip on the surface.

5. When you’re building a low-volume, low-speed Tar and Chip Paving roadway

Over long distances, such as large roadways, the savings on tar and chip seal can be enormous.

Keep in mind, however, that tar and chip seal is not a great match for every road. Tar and chip roads are significantly louder and bumpier than asphalt roads, particularly at high speeds. Loose chips can also be kicked up, potentially damaging vehicles and causing accidents. Finally, it’s worth noting that tar and chip seal does have a shorter lifespan than asphalt.

For this reason, tar and chip seal is a much better fit for a back road — one that sees less traffic and has a lower posted speed limit — as opposed to a high-volume or high-speed highway.

If you have any questions or want to discuss your next project, give us a call today!

LEARN MORE ABOUT ELITE ASPHALT

The Most Trusted Pavement Contractor in Dallas, Fort Worth & North Texas!

Elite Asphalt is formed of a team of pavement experts. With over 30 years’ experience, we have worked on all types of asphalt pavement and concrete projects. With an up-to-date, cutting-edge fleet of equipment, we offer services for all types of paving jobs, from complete installations to ongoing maintenance.

We carry out projects for property managers, developers, contractors and homeowners. If you need an Estimate for your next commercial, industrial or residential project, please call (817) 587-8158 today to speak with one of our trusted advisers.

Elite Asphalt LLC.
5080 Ben Day Murrin Rd.,
Fort Worth, TX 76067
Tel: (817)-587-8158
www.eliteasphalt.net

Tar and Chip Roadways.  Eight Reasons Why Tar and Chip Seal Paving Is Used for Roadways

Wondering why your township didn’t go with blacktop?

Every day, thousands of new roads are being paved all over the world. It’s likely that there has even been some road construction in your area recently!

There are two different paving methods commonly used on roadways.

First, there’s traditional asphalt, commonly known as “blacktop”, which features a smooth, jet-black finish. The second option is tar and chip seal, which possesses a more textured surface and is offered in a variety of colors.

What makes your township choose one method over the other?

Hint: it’s not random.

Here are eight reasons why tar and chip seal paving is used for certain roadways.

1. It’s being used on a low-volume road

If your roadway was paved with the tar and chip seal method, it means that it’s considered a low-volume road and sees roughly 2,500 vehicles or fewer per day.

As tar and chip seal also provides a rougher, bumpier surface, it’s not as suitable for roads where vehicles travel at higher speeds.

2. It’s more cost-effective

Like any paying customer, your township is trying to cut costs, too. Higher costs lead to higher taxes, and the public certainly doesn’t want that!

While blacktop isn’t particularly expensive, tar and chip seal manages to be more affordable. Across miles of road, the cost savings are significant.

3. It has a shorter cure time

As tar and chip aggregate covers the thin layer of hot liquid asphalt that lies beneath, the cure time for tar and chip seal is shorter than that of blacktop.

Ultimately, this means less downtime; and less downtime means happier citizens!

4. It offers greater skid resistance

Did you know that blacktop and tar-and-chip use the same materials?

The difference lies in the construction method. Blacktop has an aggregate mixed throughout, whereas tar and chip seal uses the aggregate as its final layer.

As it’s the aggregate that provides the traction, you can see how tar and chip seal offers greater safety and skid resistance.

5. It helps eliminate black ice

With tar and chip seal paving, water doesn’t pool very easily.

Combine this with the extra traction that comes with a generous top layer of aggregate, and black ice is virtually nonexistent.

6. It doesn’t break down easily

All roads break down over time. In fact, tar and chip seal roadways are only rated to last for 7-10 years.

However, cracks and potholes do not form as easily — that is, unless, snowplows cause damage to them.

7. It heals itself

Unlike blacktop — which contracts and expands when water, ice, and extreme temperatures are involved — tar and chip seal has the potential to heal itself over time.

As any cracks are exposed to hot weather, you may find that they close up and may even be filled in with loose stones.

8. It requires little maintenance

Large cracks and potholes are less common. Small cracks tend to heal with time.

This means that, overall, tar and chip seal roads require less maintenance than your average blacktop road.

Again, less downtime and happier drivers!

LEARN MORE ABOUT ELITE ASPHALT

The Most Trusted Pavement Contractor in Dallas, Fort Worth & North Texas!

Elite Asphalt is formed of a team of pavement experts. With over 30 years’ experience, we have worked on all types of asphalt pavement and concrete projects. With an up-to-date, cutting-edge fleet of equipment, we offer services for all types of paving jobs, from complete installations to ongoing maintenance.

We carry out projects for property managers, developers, contractors and homeowners. If you need an Estimate for your next commercial, industrial or residential project, please call (817)-587-8158 today to speak with one of our trusted advisers.

Elite Asphalt LLC.
5080 Ben Day Murrin Rd.,
Fort Worth, TX 76067
Tel: (817) 587-8158
www.eliteasphalt.net

Tar and Chip Ranch Driveways: Four Common Questions.

Does your ranch driveway need to be paved?

Maybe those cracks and potholes are becoming too much to handle. Perhaps you’re tired of navigating uneven or sunken areas. It might be that you’re just interested in giving your ranch driveway a new look!

If you’ve done any amount of research to date, you’ve probably come across tar and chip seal as one of the more popular paving methods.

You’ve seen a few pictures. You’ve read a few good reviews. But like any other customer, you’ve probably still got a few questions, too. After all, you’re planning to invest a significant amount of money in your driveway and you want to make sure you get the best possible results!

Well, we’re here to help.

Here are four of the most common questions people ask with regards to tar and chip seal paving for ranch driveways.

1. How much does it cost?

It comes as no surprise that this is perhaps the most common question contractors get asked.

While cost is largely dependent on both the contractor you choose and the amount of tar and chip that is needed, you can expect to pay roughly $2 – $5 per square foot.

Compare this to asphalt, which often costs $4 – $6 per square foot; or concrete, which often lands around $5 – $9 per square foot. You can see how tar and chip seal works out to be a very affordable option!

2. How long does it last?

It’s worth noting that tar and chip seal, although very durable, doesn’t typically last as long as an asphalt or concrete surface might.

Again, the lifespan of tar and chip seal will depend on the contractor you choose, the techniques the use, as well as the application. In most cases, you can expect your tar and chip seal surface to last for approximately seven years.

If you’re fortunate, your ranch driveway could last for up to 10 years. This is dependent on the weather in your area and the amount of use your driveway gets.

3. How is it maintained?

Although tar and chip seal has a shorter lifespan than asphalt or concrete, there is a silver lining — it requires very little maintenance.

Asphalt, on the other hand, requires frequent seal coating, as it is more vulnerable to cracks and potholes. This adds to the cost of regular asphalt services over time.

So, as your neighbors’ asphalt and concrete driveways are crumbling around you, enjoy the low maintenance costs over the life of your tar and chip driveway!

4. What’s the process?

The process of paving a tar and chip seal driveway is typically faster than that of paving an asphalt driveway, in part because it has a shorter cure time.

First, your contractor will clear any brush, vegetation, and debris, preparing the surface for paving. Then, a layer of hot liquid asphalt will be poured over a gravel base. Shortly after, loose stones (or “chips”) are poured over the asphalt tar and then rolled to compaction for an even surface overall.

Voilà!

Enjoy your beautiful tar and chip ranch driveway!

LEARN MORE ABOUT ELITE ASPHALT

The Most Trusted Pavement Contractor in Dallas, Fort Worth & North Texas!

Elite Asphalt is formed of a team of pavement experts. With over 30 years’ experience, we have worked on all types of asphalt pavement and concrete projects. With an up-to-date, cutting-edge fleet of equipment, we offer services for all types of paving jobs, from complete installations to ongoing maintenance.

We carry out projects for property managers, developers, contractors and homeowners. If you need an Estimate for your next commercial, industrial or residential project, please call 817-587-8158 today to speak with one of our trusted advisers.

Elite Asphalt LLC.
5080 Ben Day Murrin Rd.,
Fort Worth, TX 76067
Tel: (817) 587-8158
www.eliteasphalt.net

Tar and Chip Seal Driveways.   Are you considering tar and chip seal paving for your driveway?

Perhaps you’re comparing a variety of options at this point in the process. Of course, each type has its own pros and cons, whether it’s asphalt, gravel, or concrete.

The tar-and-chip method offers a handful of benefits with very few drawbacks. Here are four reasons to go with tar and chip seal for your driveway!

1. It may look better

The most common alternative option to a tar and chip seal driveway is a regular asphalt driveway, which comes in one finish — black. For many customers, however, the jet-black look doesn’t quite match the aesthetic of the home.

With a tar and chip seal, you’ll have dozens of color options to choose from, including tan, red, gray, and others. You might even opt to use an assortment of different shades!

You’ll also be able to choose from a handful of stone types, whether it’s a simple and practical stone or a more decorative option.

2. It’s easy on the feet

Particularly if you live in an area where the summers are hot and your driveway gets plenty of exposure to the sun, a blacktop driveway retains heat and can cause your bare feet to even blister.

Of course, gravel is one option that can be even more cost-effective than most; but we all know how difficult it is to embark on a barefoot trek across a gravel-laden driveway without having those little stones carve up the soles of your feet!

Whether you’re taking a quick walk out to the mailbox or performing duties around the front yard, one thing is for certain: a tar and chip seal driveway is much easier on the feet. It doesn’t retain heat in the same way that an asphalt driveway does, and it features far fewer loose stones than a gravel driveway!

3. Tar and Chip Driveways.  It offers excellent traction

Especially if your home’s driveway is on an incline, you know that it can become problematic during colder or wetter seasons.

Although our state of Texas is blessed with sunny, warm weather on most days, certain weather conditions — even if it’s only rain — can be difficult to manage with an asphalt driveway.

Because a tar and chip driveway uses stone chips, it creates a rough surface that offers a little extra traction for vehicles. It even allows you to walk up or down your driveway without a greater risk of slipping on the wrong day.

4. It’s more cost-effective

As the process uses fewer materials overall, it makes sense that a tar and chip driveway tends to be more affordable than a typical asphalt driveway.

How cost-effective is it, exactly? Tar and chip seal driveways are more expensive than gravel driveways; but in comparison to an asphalt driveway, you may save anywhere between 10% and 50% on your tar and chip driveway.

Of course, this will depend on the contractor you end up working with and the types of stones and materials you select. Here’s an article on how to choose the right tar and chip contractor for your project.

Read 4 common questions and our answers for tar and chip seal paving for ranch driveways.

LEARN MORE ABOUT ELITE ASPHALT

The Most Trusted Pavement Contractor in Dallas, Fort Worth & North Texas!

Elite Asphalt is formed by a team of pavement experts. With over 30 years’ experience, we have worked on all types of asphalt pavement and concrete projects. With an up-to-date, cutting-edge fleet of equipment, we offer services for all types of paving jobs, from complete installations to ongoing maintenance.

We carry out projects for property managers, developers, contractors, and homeowners. If you need an estimate for your next commercial, industrial or residential project, please call (817) 587-8158 today to speak with one of our trusted advisers.

Elite Asphalt LLC.
5080 Ben Day Murrin Rd.,
Fort Worth, TX 76067
Tel: (817) 587-8158
www.eliteasphalt.net

Tar and Chip Versus Asphalt.  So, you’ve just purchased a brand new home in Dallas, Texas, and are ready to focus on driveway installation — or maybe you’re looking to give your old home a new look with a fresh surface. In any case, when it comes to paving the driveway, homeowners have several options to choose from. Today we’ll be focusing on two primary choices, each with their own advantages and drawbacks: tar and chip vs asphalt driveways.

Tar and Chip Driveways

Though less of a household name than asphalt, tar and chip paving is nothing new — in fact, the material has been used in numerous applications on a global scale for over 100 years.

Benefits of Tar and Chip Driveways

• Aesthetic Appeal: Tar and chip driveways are dynamic, beautiful, and can be installed to fit your specific design preferences.
• Self-Healing: Tar and chip driveways are unique in that they are self-healing in hot weather. Given the right climate, the cement that binds the pavement together will flow into any cracks that might have formed over time.
• Maintenance: Unlike asphalt, tar and chip driveways don’t require sealing throughout their lifespan.
• Improved Traction: Thanks to its composition, tar and chip driveways provide higher traction for vehicles.

Drawbacks of Tar and Chip Driveways:

• Lifespan: Tar and chip driveways tend to last up to 10 years — a considerable lifespan, but they don’t last quite as long as their asphalt counterparts.
• Good Contractors Are Harder to Find: Contractors skilled in tar and chip installations aren’t nearly as plentiful as those offering asphalt paving.

Asphalt Driveways

There are several reasons why asphalt is such a popular material for driveways, but this option does come with its share of considerations.

Benefits of Asphalt Driveways:

• Sharp Look: Though they don’t come with the natural appeal of the stones used in tar and chip, asphalt driveways are known to provide a sharp, uniform aesthetic.
• Strength: After it’s been allowed to properly set, an asphalt driveway is capable of supporting virtually any load regardless of heft.
• Malleability: Asphalt driveways have some degree of flexibility, which makes them resistant to cracks forming due to variations in weather.
• Lifespan: Asphalt driveways can typically last for up to 20 years. However, when excellently installed and maintained throughout the years, their lifespan can potentially extend to 30 years.

Drawbacks of Asphalt Driveways:

• Heat: If temperatures are high enough, asphalt driveways will absorb considerable amounts of heat and transfer it to any vehicles parked on them.
• Maintenance: These driveways don’t maintain themselves — asphalt needs to be re-sealed every 2-5 years in order to keep its sleek look and durability.

Both options are more affordable than concrete and other surface materials. However, tar and chip tends to be more cost-efficient than asphalt. Of course, that comes at the price of longevity. Ultimately, it’s important to look at all the unique factors these two materials have to offers and make an informed decision based on your personal priorities.

Tar and Chip Contractor.  Good work is hard to find, and that applies to all fields of business. Tar and chip installation is no exception.

That said, there are definitely some great tar and chip contractors in Fort Worth — it just takes a bit of work to find the right one.

If you’re looking for the right contractor for the job, you can follow the steps we’ve laid out in this article. Here are five simple rules to help your search along.

Make a List

In order to be properly selective, it’s best to start by making a shortlist of local contractors. Asking homeowner friends for referrals is a good idea, though you’ll likely find most of your candidates online.

If a contractor is worth his or her salt, they’ll make their online business known through a website and social media presence. Choose the best options based on their reviews and portfolio, and ensure that only companies with clear examples of their work make the list.

Be Wary of Rock Bottom Pricing

Everyone loves cutting costs, but it’s important to maintain a standard of quality in doing so. If you choose your tar and chip contractor based on their cheap cost alone, you might be heading into a lackluster renovation.

When contractors price their work at the rock bottom end of the spectrum, their costs are likely a reflection of the poor workmanship they offer. If you’re considering a contractor in this price range, be sure to ask why their estimates are so low, and look into samples of their past work.

Tar and chip installation is a dedicated craft. Proper work in this field requires a solid ethic, natural passion and hands-on experience. While that doesn’t mean you should limit your search to premium pricing, it’s definitely worth keeping in mind.

Verify Their Licensing and Certification

When hiring anyone to renovate your home, it’s important to ensure that they carry the proper licensing and certification. You can contact your local licensing division for specific requirements regarding a tar and chip renovation.

To take this security measure one step further, it’s also a good practice to ensure that the company has liability insurance and that their workers are covered by worker’s compensation.

If any contractors on your list don’t have the proper credentials, or if they’re taking a long time to send you their information, it’s best not to consider them for the job.

Look at Their Past Projects

If a contractor displays their past work beautifully on their website and social media pages, that’s a great sign. On the other hand, if the few images a company displays online are blurry and don’t show the before and after, you can consider that a red flag.

The best Fort Worth tar and chip contractors are proud of showing their good work, so they’ll make it readily available for you to see.

Get Everything in Writing

Once you’ve found the right contractor for the job, it’s important to form a legal agreement surrounding the renovation.

Ensure that your contract with the company covers all important bases such as price and payment schedule, construction schedule, scope of work and dispute resolution clause.

After the technicalities are out of the way, you’re ready to dive into your tar and chip renovation. By working with the right contractor, you’ll be left with the finished product you initially had in mind.

New Asphalt Driveway Maintenance.  A brand new asphalt driveway is a marvel to look at, but the hard truth is that it won’t sparkle as new forever. Time deteriorates all renovations, including this one.

An asphalt driveway can last anywhere between 12 to 35 years. Its lifespan generally depends on your local climate and the amount of care you put into it.

The good news is that there are a few well-founded measures you can take to keep your asphalt functional and sharp-looking. If you’re seeking to get the most out of your driveway in the long run, take a look at the following tips we’ve put together.

Putting Your Asphalt Driveway to Use

As aesthetically pleasing an asphalt driveway can be, it’s meant to be a functional renovation — in other words, you’ll be using it a lot. However, the way you use it will go a long way in affecting its lifespan.

For example, when driving or parking on the asphalt, try to avoid turning the wheels if the car is not in motion. This can lead to tire tracking, especially on a hot and sunny day.

Additionally, try to limit any heavy vehicles from using your driveway if possible. Moving vans and garbage trucks can bevel the surface over time, which is definitely something you want to avoid.

Cleaning Your Asphalt Driveway

Asphalt is known for its ability to hide imperfections. Despite that, it’s still important to give it a good cleaning on a regular basis.

Leaves and other debris can gather on the driveway if left unkempt. As they decompose, they may leave some marks over the asphalt’s surface. It’s best to bypass this risk by sweeping the driveway on a weekly basis.

To rejuvenate its surface, you can give your driveway a good scrubbing. Simply fill a bucket with one part dish soap and three parts water, and use a rough brush to give the asphalt a once over. Rinse the soap off with a hose, and bask in the glow of your freshly clean driveway!

As a side note, avoid cleaning with power washers since this can damage the asphalt if not done by a professional.

Sealing Your Asphalt Driveway

Nothing beats the look of a brand new asphalt driveway after it’s been freshly installed. Just be sure to soak in the experience while it lasts, since imperfections will inevitably appear over time.

Specifically, exposure to the elements and the weight it sustains over the long term will cause small cracks to form. These small cracks can cause a significant issue if they continue to decay.

Thankfully, you can limit the deterioration of your driveway by sealing it regularly. It’s usually recommended to seal your driveway every 2-4 years, but you’re free to do so on a yearly basis if asphalt maintenance is a priority.

Repairing Your Asphalt Driveway

While it’s true that the quality and lifespan of an asphalt driveway depends largely on the care you’ve put into it, even the most well-maintained driveways will need a repair eventually.

The most common asphalt reparations are made to the small potholes and cracks that appear over time. These blemishes are practically unavoidable, and the best way to fix them is by working with a professional asphalt and chip seal company in Fort Worth.

Chip Seal Road Process.  Although they’re not quite as common as some of their counterpoint materials, chip seal roads can be found around the world, from Dallas, Texas to London, UK. In the United States, this material tends to be used in lesser populated areas to support low traffic volumes. Meanwhile, New Zealand and Australia apply chip seal in both rural and metropolitan areas.

In this post, we’ll shed some light on the exact process used to build chip seal roads. We’ll also cover some of the advantages of the material as well as its drawbacks.

Ready? Then let’s hit the road!

Chip Seal Road Process

Chip seal roads are formed by pouring a mixture of bitumen, asphalt or hot tar over an existing road, then adding fine aggregate into the base. Once the aggregate is spread evenly throughout the pavement, heavy rubber tyred rollers are used to pulverize it into the mixture, forming a paved road.

That’s the installation process in a nutshell, though there are several potential variations that can be applied in order to optimize a chip seal road. For instance, a common extra step installers can take is to seal the pavement with a top layer (also known as a fog seal).

Chip seal roads can be further optimized by the addition of polymer-modified bitumen and emulsion binders. These go a long way in helping the pavement retain its aggregate while avoiding crack reflection. More modern methods use a combination of water, liquid asphalt and surfactant (also known as asphalt emulsion) in place of asphalt in order to improve stone retention while reducing installation costs.

Proper post-installation follow-up is crucial to a chip seal road’s health. These roads typically require two days to cure, during which time traffic must be maintained at reduce speeds. Once cured, several sweepings are needed in order to remove loose gravel from the surface.

Chip Seal Road Advantages

Cost: Generally speaking, chip seal roads can be installed at 20-25% the cost of conventional asphalt.

Anti-glare: Chip seal roads do not cause glare in wet weather conditions or nighttime driving.

Skid-resistance: Thanks to its unique composition, a chip seal road offers a skid-resistant surface in both wet and dry conditions.

Non-porous: Chip seal roads prevent water from penetrating the structure of the pavement. When properly sealed, the non-porous material can minimize the effects of wear and tear.

Chip Seal Road Drawbacks

Roadway Noise: Chip seal roads provide a less uniform surface than asphalt or concrete surfaces, which leads to increased roadway noise. This increased volume tends to vary based on traveling speed, vehicle density and tire tread design.

Installation Quality is Critical: The quality of a chip seal road can vary greatly depending on how much care was taken during its installation process. Depending on climate and traffic volume, additional steps might be necessary in order to optimize the pavement throughout its lifespan. It’s also important that post-installation followup (allowing the surface to cure and sweeping loose gravel afterwards) be tended to with extreme care.