Services
Chip Sealing
Cost-effective surface treatment for long stretches of pavement.
Quick Answer
Chip sealing is a surface treatment where asphalt emulsion is applied and topped with aggregate chips, then compacted and swept. It's a durable, budget-friendly alternative to a full asphalt overlay for long driveways, rural roads, and lower-traffic areas where full paving isn't cost-effective.
Chip sealing applies a layer of asphalt emulsion followed by aggregate chips, providing a durable, cost-effective surface treatment for longer stretches of pavement.
Chip sealing makes the most sense when you've got a lot of surface area to cover and full asphalt paving isn't the right budget fit — long rural driveways, low-traffic municipal roads, or large lower-use areas. It's a genuinely different product than paving, not a lesser one, and it holds up well for the traffic it's designed for when it's applied and compacted correctly.
It often pairs well with asphalt resurfacing, pavement maintenance, and driveways. We provide chip sealing for properties across Sandusky and our Ohio service areas.
What’s Included
- Asphalt emulsion application
- Aggregate chip spreading and compaction
- Sweeping of loose aggregate after cure
Ideal For
- Long driveways and rural roads
- Lower-traffic surfaces where full asphalt paving isn't cost-effective
- Municipal and larger-area projects
Why Choose Swartz Paving for Chip Sealing
- We size chip sealing to the traffic it's actually built for, and tell you honestly if your site needs full paving instead
- Proper compaction and sweep-off, not a rushed job that leaves loose aggregate for weeks
- Experience with both municipal-scale and long private-driveway chip seal projects across Ohio
Ready to Get Started on Your Chip Sealing Project?
Request a free estimate and we’ll follow up with next steps.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How is chip sealing different from asphalt paving?
- Chip sealing is a surface treatment applied over an existing base rather than a full asphalt installation, making it a more budget-friendly option for longer or lower-traffic areas. Full asphalt paving involves laying and compacting an asphalt mix; chip sealing bonds aggregate chips to an emulsion layer instead.
- Is loose gravel normal after chip sealing?
- Yes, some loose aggregate is normal in the first few days and is swept once the surface cures. Driving slowly during that initial period helps minimize chip scatter and keeps the surface bonding evenly.
- How long does chip sealing last?
- A properly applied chip seal typically holds up for several years under the light-to-moderate traffic it's designed for, and can be reapplied as a maintenance cycle rather than requiring full replacement. Lifespan depends on traffic volume and how well the surface is maintained afterward.
- Is chip sealing suitable for a residential driveway?
- It can be, especially for longer rural driveways where full asphalt paving would be cost-prohibitive relative to the traffic the driveway sees. For shorter, higher-use residential driveways, standard asphalt paving is usually the better fit — we'll recommend whichever makes sense for your specific property.
- Can chip sealing be applied over any existing surface?
- Chip sealing needs a stable base to bond to — it's a surface treatment, not a structural fix. If the underlying surface has significant base failure, that needs to be addressed first, or chip sealing over it will just mask a problem that resurfaces later.
