Chip Seal

copusbuilder

I need help...I am a board member on a subdivision here in Texas that is primarily roads of dirt (iron ore) and road base.
The board wants to put chip seal directly over the roads. We are uncertain of the base but believe most to be around 4" and some with little or none.
Does this seem a viable option to improving the roads?

Does anyone here have experience with this? Thanks in advance

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AkA Richard Cranium

TERM101

Okay...So..when you are referring to chip sealing I gather that you are talking about spraying tar and then topping with gravel(Tar and gravel we call it when making a road out of it, chip sealing we call it when adding to crack on old pavement before repaving) If you are talking about using tar and gravel as your road instead of asphalt then yes, this is a cheaper alternative to asphalt. However, tar and gravel will require some extra patches and what not here and there over the coming years that asphalt will most likely not. And it will always seems to have a bit of loose gravel on it depending on how well the contractor does it. I do quite a bit of tar and gravel and most people seem to like it very well. If done right it sets up pretty much like asphalt with a hard layer with bits of loose rock left on it. Hope this helps!

copusbuilder

Thanks for the reply!
Do you think the base is important?
The company is claiming they will give a 10 year warranty. I am not sure I trust a warranty that may or may not cover certain problems such as wash out etc.

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AkA Richard Cranium

TERM101

The base is as important as the foundation your house sets on. What do you have currently? Is it just exclusively dirt or asphalt or what? Usually you can do it over asphalt but...if it isn't asphalt then you need to put down 8" of abc then apply tar drop 67 stone into it then another shot of tar over that. Then you drop 78 stone into that that get the final product. Roll it after you apply every coat of stone. But lemme know a little about your road conditions now and I can help you I hope :-)

copusbuilder

The base is unknown for the most part. Some has road base 4 or so inches. Some has Iron ore (which is our dirt) and no more.

I have been trying to get the other members to get someone out to determine if this will work other than the contractor who is selling the job.

The contractor is applying a "primer" and then one coat of chip seal 3/4" thick. Rock and sweeping?
He may be bringing in some road base to fill areas.

I am a bit of an outsider here as I own land but do not live there.
I don't want the subdivision going into debt unless this will work. Others seem to think it looks like tar therefore it is tar

It might work...I don't know?

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AkA Richard Cranium

TERM101

Usually we will add a base of a minimum of 8" of abc stone that has been "setup"(graded, wet, and rolled) then I will shoot over that with tar. After I shoot over the base with tar I will even spread #67(clean marble sized stone) into the tar and roll it. The spreading process is usually done with a spreader gate on a dump truck or a machine called a chip spreader that adds and even layer of gravel into the tar. After that we shoot over the #67 stone with tar we add an even layer(usually 1/2 to 3/4") over #78 stone(pea gravel) and roll that. It is important to have a solid base and be generous with the #78 stone so as not to let the tar shine through and track it everywhere. This type of application if done right will set up similar to asphalt but will seem to have a few loose rocks(pea gravel) on it. It will require a patch now and then(tar and #78 stone over a bad spot) but hey, so does asphalt now and then. In reality it is a cheaper alternative to asphalt. If done right it provides exceptional results. Just make sure the contractor knows what he is doing. I will be glad to help you with any questions you may have.

copusbuilder

I appreciate your help. I cannot get the details of the estimate just yet.
I know the base will not be near what you are talking about and I don't think the procedure is near your either.
I have had a hard time getting the other board members to get additional quotes and/or learn more about it. I don't know enough and have suggested an independent person come and assess what we have.
I even offered to pay for it because I don't want a nighmare for us in the future.
Not sure where to go with it?

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AkA Richard Cranium

TERM101

If you get any ideas about how whoever is gonna do it lemme know and ill let ya know what I think about it. Just MAKE SURE they know what they are doing and give you your money's worth or it will be a never ending night mare. Tar and gravel is a great cheaper alternative to asphalt providing it is done right. If it isn't done right it will be a never ending nightmare trying to get someone to fix this and fix that. Not to mention the money that will be spent on this and that. I urge you to try your best to convince them to interview with a few different contractors and make sure that they know what they are doing and will give you your money's worth. If ya need anything lemme know :-)

copusbuilder

I appreciate the help. They are actually going to the bank to try and secure $130,000 of loans to do these stretches of road. They have one bid and seem reluctant to get additional bids. When I give them names of other contractors they seem to let it die a slow death with a lack of calls etc.
I don't think its pocketing money but a relationship with the one character.

I will get back with more as I get the info.

Thanks a bunch!

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www.copusconstruction.com
www.etexasrentals.com
www.thelakevoice.com
AkA Richard Cranium