EXPERT ADVICE
The Infrared
Patching Solution:
Creating joint-free, integral
asphalt repairs
By Jeff Winke
I
nfrared. The word "infrared" conjures
up science fiction, international espio-
nage, or comic book tales. But in the
context of asphalt paving, infrared is a
practical, utilitarian tool used to repair de-
teriorated surfaces. To practitioners of in-
frared patching, the method is said to be
an extremely effective and cost-efficient
means of pavement repair.
"With infrared patching, there is no
need for milling, sawing, jack-hammer-
1.800.210.5923
ing or excess equipment," stated Krystal
Strassman, marketing manager / project
estimator with DRS Paving, Fitchburg,
Wis. "Infrared patching requires fewer
people to operate and far fewer resources
overall, thereby making it cost-efficient
and an effective means of repair."
The infrared method uses a heating
panel that is placed over the area to be
repaired. The panel heats existing pave-
ment to 30 times the temperature of new
[25]
asphalt. The existing asphalt becomes soft,
allowing a hot liquid binder and fresh as-
phalt to be mixed directly into the pave-
ment, which is then leveled to the proper
height and compacted with a roller.
There are advantages to infrared patch-
ing.
Infrared creates a seamless repair. There
are no joints that water or dirt can find its
way into and compromise the repair.
Continued on page 28
September 2019