dust nuisance on rural roads

A long rural driveway with no chipseal or asphalt surface can be a real problem for everyone in the area. It is also a major problem for the environment as dust can…

• land on roofs and contaminate drinking water
• cover gardens and household property
• add sediment into stormwater
• cause health problems for people with breathing disorders

Stopping the dustIt used to be that waste oil was used as a dust suppressant. However this is now illegal as it is very harmful to the environment. Fortunately modern methods and equipment for sealing rural driveways have become a lot more efficient and, as a result, more affordable. They are also surprisingly environmentally friendly.

Chipseal Surfacing
This involves a mix of chip and bitumen applied to the road base. Chipseal is a durable and cost effective road surfacing option for most environments and conditions. A high quality chipseal surfaced driveway should last up to 15yrs before it needs resurfacing – depending on the traffic load and use as well as weather conditions.
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Asphalt Surfacing
Also known as bitumen, asphalt is a sticky, black and highly viscous liquid or semi-solid form of petroleum. It is used as the glue or binder and mixed with aggregate particles to create an asphalt surface. A high quality asphalt surface should last at least 20yrs and can easily be spot repaired as needed.