Perhaps you have heard of infrared asphalt repair (IRR). It can be a great way to repair asphalt in these five signs of existing breakdown in parking lots. That is why it is becoming a big business in specific city and state markets that understand the pros and cons of IRR. Infrared technology is an economical and environmentally friendly option to repair pavement.
If you treat your asphalt well, you can get years of low maintenance use out of it. To properly comprehend the benefits of infrared technology, it’s helpful to understand how it works. Today we will break down how infrared asphalt repair works and some of the benefits of using it.
How Does Infrared Asphalt Repair Work?
- The essential IRR components may seem complex, but they are simple—especially when handled by an expert that knows how the repair works. Infrared asphalt repairs the absorption of heat radiation into the damaged asphalt to assist in the removal. The next step is the replacement of the asphalt with new or salvaged material and reheat it to bin to the patch with the unused or undamaged areas.
- It is important to remember that individual lays of asphalt should be heated individually and raked away before a lower level can absorb the required heat for removal.
- The properties of asphalt also affect their heating times. For example, mix designs, polymer designs, and the material’s age play a vital role in the process. The darker the asphalt, the better it absorbs the heat.
- In addition, it’s vital to avoid all sources of moisture while carrying out IRR. The heat can indeed evaporate the water with IRR, but if the heat becomes too strong, it can damage areas of the asphalt, while more permeable areas remain wet.
- Remember to patch test the pavement to secure a long-lasting repair. After the old material has been heated and removed, the edges should be squared and tapered. That allows for a solid bond between the old and new asphalt and more surface area.
- If you use both new and recycled asphalt in the repair, utmost care must be taken when mixing the two throughout the repair process. That ensures that both materials do not become segregated.
- Asphalt rejuvenators are used as part of the method to replace the maltenes (the lighter oils of asphalt cement) that are corroded out of the asphalt over time or during the repair process. Rejuvenators can also be added before the restoration process and added to aged white asphalt to turn it black, reducing heating times.
- IRR is a great time to fix subgrade failures. Cracks that are not patched, or are repaired on the surface only, will quickly give way, and the patch will fail.
- Often, state or local governments will not allow heating near water elements. If the need does arise, a thin aluminum heat shield can be used.
What Are The Benefits Of Infrared Asphalt Repair?
Economical Savings
IRR has a few significant economic advantages. Firstly, it uses mainly existing material and requires little new material. That decreases purchasing costs by 80 percent or more. Besides, there is little discarded material in alignment with this, which reduces waste by 90 percent.
Because existing materials are reused, costs that would have been paid in transporting or producing materials are also reduced substantially. This means that more roads can be repaired at a less expensive cost to the city, and it can be done faster. Quicker project turnaround times reduce annoying traffic slowdowns and roadblocks.
Environmental Impact
One of the most remarkable qualities of IRR is that it is environmentally-friendly. It can be noted that asphalt is often called an eco-friendly choice, because it can be recycled. If there is a hole in asphalt, all the existing asphalt in and near the spot would be heated up. Then it would be reused with IR technology. That means there is less need to produce new asphalt, and it reduces the waste sent to landfills by up to 90 percent.
A speedier operation means fewer trucks on the roads consuming fossil fuels to transport the asphalt.
Finally, since the operation is quick and easy, there is no noise pollution with other construction approaches. That means that it will be easier on everyone’s ears.
Operational Advantage
At one time, it took a team of six or more people to repair roads. However, efficient methods like IRR only require two or three people to complete a similar project. Because of the improved simplicity, the workers can start a project quickly, with little lag time. The reduction in labor costs also adds to the city’s cost savings and the overall decrease in motorist irritations during commutes.
When using IRR, no underground systems are disrupted. That includes phone lines, plumbing, and internet cables. IR technology can help ensure a smooth repair so that major areas of the highway are not blocked or large areas of the city are disturbed.
Top Value
Infrared repair is the perfect choice for large and small jobs that traditional methods could not ordinarily handle. Since it uses fewer materials, it can help companies and businesses save on costs. The methods used help prevent future deterioration, cracking, and provide a smooth surface for driving.
Infrared Repair Done Right
When repairs are done correctly, they are a straightforward and efficient process. That is why more and more organizations are looking into IRR for their own pavement repair needs. Consult today with a local paving expert at Richfield Blacktop to learn how to use the fast and reasonably priced approach for your next pavement modification project.
