Why Infrared Repair is Better than Conventional Methods

How does the infrared repair process compare to conventional repair? There are certain steps that must be followed for correctly repairing road surfaces whether you use traditional methods, or the infrared process. There are also limitations involved with certain types of repair. What we will show is how the infrared repair process reduces some of the steps involved with conventional repair, gives you far more flexibility in your repair season, and produces a permanent quality product.

Conventional: (no base problem)

1. Cut out area to be repaired.
2. Dig out old material.
3. Load and haul away old material to dump (if possible).
4. Sweep away loose soil and or standing water.
5. Prepare surface areas and apply the tack coat to cold edges.
6. Replace old material with a new mix.
7. Lute to correct grade.
8. Compact to correct compression.
9. Apply sealers as needed.

The steps described is the most familiar method of asphalt repair. The major disadvantage of conventional repair are cold-joints. Even when a very thorough job is done, you are still placing heated material against a cold surface. Whenever you have two materials of varying temperatures placed together, a cold joint is formed, this is a point of weakness. Even with proper compaction there is really nothing for the two surfaces to bond to and eventually these areas separate. This creates a point of entry for debris and water penetration of the base material, ultimately leading to repair failure.

Infrared Repair: (no base problem)

1. Sweep away any loose soil or standing water in the area being repaired.
2. Position infrared panel over the area being restored.
3. Allow infrared to penetrate for 5 to 9 minutes depending on the depth, season, and aggregate.
4. Rake weakened in place material removing old joints, seams and rough areas.
5. Add the material if necessary to meet grade.
6. Lute to correct grade.
7. Compact to correct compression.

As you can see by the comparisons, some of the repair steps are the same. What we will now cover are the differences. When repairing utilizing infrared, you are constantly working 8 to 10 inches of the heated and softened area. This means that the repair area and the surrounding area are being worked together at the same temperatures. This eliminates any cold joints or seams and creates an area that is to the existing pavement. No point of weakness! This also eliminates the possibility of water and debris working into the seams and causing repair failure. Again, let me emphasize that flames never come in contact with the surface. The softening is being done by the unique qualities of the infrared rays.

The applications of infrared repair and reclaiming are many, and the limitations few.