Are you looking for an alternative to paving your drive or private road with traditional asphalt? Tar and chip pavement is an excellent substitute to consider. In fact, tar and chip drives are constructed in a similar method to traditional paving but they allow for more choices in texture and color than black asphalt. Uniform Paving & Sealcoating is your premiere paving and driveway repair contractors and we proudly offer tar and chip paving solutions to suit any homeowner’s need.
Note that tar and chip paving is also known as chip-and-seal, seal chip, macadam, and liquid asphalt and stone paving.
How are tar and chip drives created?
Creating these types of drives are simple, given the right equipment.
After the initial roadbed is created the first layer is a gravel base. To hold this base intact a hot layer of liquid asphalt is poured over it.
Next, a layer of chosen stones is poured on top of the hot asphalt and pressed via a blacktop roller.
Finally, a sweeper brushes away any loose stone that may not have been pressed deeply into the layer of hot asphalt.
The tar and chip technique can also be applied to an already existing roadbed or pavement if it is in good condition.
Benefits of tar and chip drives
The best benefit of creating a tar and chip drive is that they are a low-cost alternative to asphalt paving. Yet, they are just as strong and durable.
They provide a sturdy finish while also providing a variety of choices in color for property owners. Since the stone is not premixed with asphalt, like a common paving project, the aggerate retains its natural color. The top layer of stone can be customized to blend in with the surrounding environment or to match buildings.
Uniform Paving & Sealcoating offers stone color selections in granite, white, and pink rock, and slate brown and beige river rock.
Unlike traditional asphalt paving which requires sealcoating every three to five years, tar and chip drives are virtually maintenance free.
They are also great for bad weather climates due to their rough texture. The surface of stones creates great traction for tires, as well as skid resistance, in bad weather to grip the roadbed. In contrast, since they are not black, they do not absorb heat as much in the summer months either.
Tar and chip driveways are a perfect choice for homeowner’s as well as farm roads.
How long will this type of drive last?
On average you can expect your tar and chip driveway to last upwards of 7 to 10 years.
This also depends on how many layers have been applied to the base, daily use, and weight of vehicles that travel it.
Word of caution
It is important to know that if you live in an area where you receive snow that needs to be plowed that you do not use a scraper on your drive. If a scraper is used to remove the snow it can loosen the stone and damage your paving project.
Your driveway or private road is the welcoming mat to your property. It can easily be overlooked when considering the landscaping of your home, but it deserves your attention. Along with increasing your property’s value and not having to deal with the dust and subsequent mud it is well worth the added benefit.
If you are considering paving your drive or road Uniform Paving & Sealcoating is here to meet your needs. We offer free site visits and estimates and are experts in our field. Our services include tar and chip paving, driveway repair, sealcoating, concrete installation and much more. Contact us today and we will be delighted to assist you in creating and maintaining the property of your dreams.