Cracks and potholes appear on every paved surface over time. When you need to fix damaged asphalt, you have several repair methods to choose from.
Infrared asphalt repair stands out as a modern solution that heats existing pavement to create patches and fill holes. This method offers distinct advantages over traditional cold-patch repairs, but it also comes with limitations. By looking at both the pros and cons of infrared asphalt repair, you can make a better choice for your project.
You heat the damaged area with an infrared heater, rake in new asphalt material, and compact the surface. The whole repair takes about 30 minutes from start to finish.
Traditional methods require you to cut out sections, haul away debris, and apply multiple layers of material. Infrared repair eliminates these time-consuming steps and gets you back to normal operations quickly.
Heat activation creates a strong molecular bond between old and new asphalt. The infrared process softens the existing surface, allowing fresh material to integrate naturally. This integration prevents the cold joints and raised edges that often occur with cold patches. Your finished repair is thermally bonded to the surrounding asphalt, with no cold joints.
The infrared process recycles the material that’s already there, reducing waste and conserving resources. You also avoid the energy costs associated with manufacturing entirely new hot-mix asphalt. This recycling approach supports sustainable maintenance practices while delivering effective repairs.
We can’t cover the pros without also touching on a couple of the cons of infrared asphalt repair. One of these is that infrared repair can’t address deep structural problems.
The heat penetrates only one to two inches into the pavement surface. If your damage extends deeper or involves base layer issues, infrared repair will not provide adequate correction.
Infrared repairs typically last two to five years, depending on traffic loads and weather conditions. While this provides good value for minor damage, it represents a short-term fix rather than a permanent solution. Heavy traffic areas or severely deteriorated pavement may require more comprehensive reconstruction to achieve long-term durability.
Infrared asphalt repair works well for surface-level damage when you need quick, cost-effective results. The method excels at fixing minor cracks, shallow potholes, and cosmetic issues. For deeper structural problems, you should consider alternative repair strategies.
NAC Supply serves as your complete asphalt supply company for infrared heaters and all other pavement maintenance equipment. We stock the tools and materials you need for any repair method, from surface patches to full reconstruction projects. So whichever repair you choose, we have the supplies you need here.
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