ASPHALT PRESERVATION: WHEN THE CHIPS ARE DOWN
CRACK SEALING  |   GSB SEALER BINDER  |   LINING, STRIPING, MARKINGS  |   MARKINGS REMOVAL
WHAT IS ASPHALT PRESERVATION?
Asphalt Preservation is a pre-emptive strategy that lengthens the time between construction and rehabilitation activities by using cost-effective preservation processes. Unfortunately human nature tends to pull back and mistakenly halt maintenance when times get tough even though it is contrary to common sense. We all know that a few dollars spent up front can save big money in days to come. So, why do we do it? Seriously, why? Especially when we are talking about preserving one of the most expensive assets around? Simply put, it boils down to a misunderstanding of what the future cost to correct things will really add up to compared to the present cost to preserve. Here is the low down. Future savings determined by research by National Center for Pavement Preservation are: One Dollar spent today for preservation reduces future replacement costs up to ten dollars and eighty cents. No small thing when you factor in the cost of petroleum today, and add in a big number for what it might be tomorrow or next year. Asphalt Preservation is about saving money. It makes a lot of sense.
An effective pavement preservation program addresses pavements while they are still in good condition and before the onset of serious damage. By applying cost-effective treatments at an early stage in the life cycle of the pavement, the pavement is preserved almost in its original condition. The cumulative effect of systematic, successive preservation treatments is to postpone costly rehabilitation and reconstruction. During the life of a pavement, the cumulative discount value of the series of pavement preservation treatments is substantially less than the discounted value of the more extensive, higher cost of reconstruction and more economical than the cost of rehabilitation. Additionally, performing a series of successive pavement preservation treatments during the life of a pavement is less disruptive to traffic flow than long closures associated with pavement reconstruction.	ASPHALT PRESERVATION IS THE SUM OF ALL ACTIVITY UNDERTAKEN TO PROVIDE SERVICEABLE PAVEMENT preserves the original investment, reduces cost   enhances pavement performance   ensures cost effectiveness   extends pavement life   reduces user delays   increases safety and mobility
Preventive maintenance (preservation) is best applied to pavements in good condition having significant remaining service life. As a major component of pavement preservation, preventive maintenance is a strategy of extending the service life by applying cost-effective treatments to the surface of structurally sound pavements. Examples of preventive treatments include asphalt crack sealing, fog sealing, chip sealing, slurry or micro-surfacing, hot-mix asphalt overlay, isolated and partial and/or full-depth repairs to restore functionality of the asphalt pavement.
WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW?
Environmental forces are the enemy of asphalt binder. As a result, every asphalt surface responds to preservation tailored to maximize service life. By definition, asphalt preservation is a planned system of inspection, analysis, and application of carefully selected performance/cost oriented preservation processes. Many fear that adding preventive maintenance costs to the purchase cost of asphalt makes it more expensive than concrete. In fact, the opposite is true and has been proven by exhaustive FHWA research data. The Asphalt Institute reports that over 90% of airfield pavement failure is simply a result of exposure to the environment! FHWA research indicates preservation treatments such as fog seals (like GSB), applied early in the pavement life cycle, can slow deterioration and significantly extend the life of the pavement at a cost reduction of almost eleven to one! The National Center for Pavement Preservation and the Foundation for Pavement Preservation teach pro-active "fix it before it breaks" practices. Do these pavement experts know something we don't? What technique are you employing for your pavement network? Their advice, and your wisest investment, is to establish a sound preservation strategy. A good strategy will forestall costly, pre-mature deterioration, major repairs, rehabilitation, and reconstruction. Preservation extends a pavements useful life cycle and subscribes to the philosophy of "pave it and save it." This practice keeps asphalt pavement at a higher level of service for a longer period; looking better, performing more safely, preserving precious resources for the public and hedging against inflation. Preservation is insurance for asphalt pavement! Concepts of asphalt preservation for the greatest life cycle extension: Good pavement design Proper pavement construction Sound preservation starategies for each pavement Beginning preservation as soon as possible after construction Timely application and re-application of preservation processes Discipline to stay with the program

BACK TO TOP  Copyright © Gee Asphalt Systems, Inc.. All Rights Reserved. For more information, please contact reception@geeasphalt.com