Chip Seal in Albuquerque & the East Mountains

Why people choose chip seal

• It usually costs less than hot-mix asphalt for the same area
• It ends the dust, washboard and mud ruts of a dirt or gravel road
• The stone texture gives good traction on slopes and in wet weather
• It suits long rural drives, ranch roads and shop or barn approaches
• It can go over a prepared gravel base or over old, worn asphalt

How we lay chip seal

1. Prepare the base. We grade and compact the road, shape a crown so water sheds to the sides, and add aggregate base where the ground is soft or sandy.
2. Spray the emulsion. A distributor sprays an even coat of asphalt emulsion across the full width.
3. Spread the stone. Clean crushed stone goes down immediately, before the emulsion sets.
4. Roll it in. Rollers press the stone into the emulsion so it locks together.
5. Sweep the extra. After it cures we sweep loose stone. A little loose rock in the first weeks is normal while traffic seats the chips.

Single or double chip seal

A single layer seals a solid base well. A double chip seal adds a second coat of emulsion and smaller stone for a tighter, tougher surface on roads that see more traffic. We will recommend one or the other after we see the site.

Questions about chip seal