Fog Seal Conventional
Contract-Ready Construction Specification Guidelines
Download GuidelinesLearn about the benefits of Fog Seal Conventional Treatments
The best time to prevent a problem is before it becomes a problem. Similar logic can be applied to road preservation. Conventional fog seals are diluted asphalt emulsion coatings applied to a road via a distributor truck before signs of pavement distress appear, helping to renew the surface asphalt and extend the life of the roadway.
A conventional fog seal can extend the life of a roadway by roughly 1-2 years, making it one of the most cost-effective preventative maintenance treatments. Average cost may vary.
The primary purpose of a conventional fog seal is to preserve pavement. It can be used on all road types to address mild oxidation and raveling and to seal hairline cracks.
A conventional fog seal should not be used on surfaces with low friction resistance and should be used with caution on surfaces carrying traffic over 35mph.
According to a study completed by the Federal Highway Administration entitled “Prevention is the Cure,” the use of fog seals is an easy and cost-effective way to delay roadway breakdowns and further postpone major construction and rehabilitation.
Best Practices
- Dilute at a 1:1 ratio with warm water at the emulsion plant.
- After dilution, the seal should be applied to the roadway as soon as possible.
- The surface that will receive the seal should be cleaned and prepared.
- Seal cracks ¼” or greater prior to or after application.
- Always allow a full cure before allowing traffic to return to prevent tracking.
Pavement Preservation Success
Success Story: Conventional Fog Seal
DownloadThe Chickasaw Nation Roads Department was challenged with how to spend their funding from the Federal Highway Association’s tribal transportation program. The Department could allocate $140,000 on a 1½" hot mix asphalt overlay, plus an additional $25,000 on milling, or it could use preservation treatments to completely restore the pavement for $45,000 in total. The choice was obvious, and the pavement was rehabilitated using a conventional fog seal, crack sealing and modified chip seal.