Chapter 8: Seal Coat/Surface Treatment Application Process
Section 1: Overview
General
In this chapter, we will describe the sequence of events during
a full-width seal coat, strip/spot seal coat, or surface treatment
application. It will include the following:
- Weather
- Traffic control
- Removing pavement markers
- Cleaning the pavement
- Placing temporary tabs
- Setting the rock lands
- Setting the asphalt shots
- Checking the loader operation
- Placing paper joints
- Shooting the asphalt
- Strapping the distributor
- Spreading the aggregate
- Timing for aggregate application
- Rolling the aggregate
- Patching or hand work
- Intersections and irregular shapes
- Brooming excess aggregate
- Opening to traffic
- Temporary or permanent pavement markings
- Placing raised pavement markers
- Cleanup.
In order for the seal coat or surface treatment to be applied
as planned, it usually requires three inspectors. The application
of the seal coat is a fast-paced process, and requires alert inspectors
to ensure that it is done properly. The inspectors must work together
as a tightly knit team, because it is difficult to monitor every
detail. If one inspector misses a detail, one of the others must
pick it up. Communication and coordination must be excellent.