What Is a Chip Seal in Midland TX?
A chip seal for a Midland TX property uses the same materials as asphalt, including a heated liquid asphalt and aggregates, or chips. The difference between the two is the installation process; asphalt is combined and mixed together and then spread onto a surface, then pressed into place.
A chip seal starts with the application or spray of the hot liquid asphalt, and then chips or aggregates are spread onto this liquid before it can dry. The chips are also pressed into place. In some cases, a surface sealant or layer is added over this, called a fog seal, for more protection and a smoother finish.
Why Choose a Chip Seal for Midland TX Properties
While a chip and seal surface isn’t as durable as concrete or standard asphalt, it does offer many benefits over gravel or dirt roads. One vital advantage of a chip and seal pavement is that the chips are pressed into the liquid asphalt, which then dries over them. In turn, these chips are less likely to get picked up and thrown by spinning tires, reducing damage to vehicles, motorcycles, bikes, and the like.
The solid surface of a chip seal in Midland TX also means added traction for vehicles and bicycles, reducing skidding and the risk of collisions. A chip seal surface also blocks rainwater, keeping the ground under it dry so there is less mud on the road as well as less risk of sinkholes or potholes forming.
A tar and chip driveway in Midland TX is also much more attractive than a dirt or gravel surface! Chips or aggregates are often available in a wide range of color tones and sizes, so your driveway can coordinate with your home’s color and style quite easily. A tar and chip driveway might even be more attractive than plain, gray concrete!
Note, too, that it’s often easier to maintain a tar and chip driveway in Midland TX than gravel driveways or loose stones. You typically don’t need to keep sweeping aggregate from a tar and chip driveway off your lawn and back onto the driveway as you often do with gravel, and don’t need to continuously replenish gravel either. Weeds are also not likely to grow through a tar and chip driveway, ensuring a more attractive look on your property.
Advantages of a Tar and Chip Versus Asphalt Installation in Midland TX
Asphalt installation in Midland TX offers many advantages over concrete, including its overall affordability and added traction. Dark asphalt also cuts down on glare under the bright Texas sun, also reducing the risk of traffic accidents and collisions. Bumpy asphalt also encourages water runoff, so your property or roadway is at less risk of water damage, flooding, and the formation of ice.
However, a tar and chip driveway in Midland TX or chip seal roadway also has some advantages over asphalt. One is its price, as tar and chip is typically even cheaper than asphalt! A tar and chip surface is also quick to install, so you can often drive over that surface the same day it’s applied. This is a vital consideration for roads you don’t want to close and busy families who need to access their driveway every day.