Road resealing
Road resealing is a treatment that delays the deterioration of a bitumen surface, keeping roads in optimum condition.
We regularly assesses each road to monitor and rate their condition and this is used to plan a systematic roadworks program of appropriate treatments.
Why we reseal roads?
The bitumen surface of a road needs regular maintenance, just as a house or car does. For example, if a weather board house is not regularly repainted, the protective paint surface cracks and peels and the timber ends up rotting and boards need to be replaced. Similarly, if a road is neglected it will eventually require major reconstruction, at a much higher cost.
Constant exposure to sunlight, variations in temperature and weather all play their part in the deterioration of a road’s wearing surface. Such exposures deteriorate the top of a bitumen surface causing it to become brittle and lose its resistance to cracking. The binder’s ability to waterproof the pavement is then affected which will lead to potholes if not treated early.
Resealing roads before they deteriorate will help to ensure they remain in good working order for years to come. This saves public money by avoiding the cost and disruption of major reconstruction work if left too long.
What does road resealing involve?
Resealing a road involves the spraying of a layer of hot bitumen and adding stone to the surface. This provides waterproofing of the underlying pavement and a wearing surface for vehicle tyres to travel on.
Bitumen resealing needs to be carried out in warmer weather conditions to help the stones grip to the bitumen. Once the treatment has been fully applied vehicles can drive over the road that same day.
Please do not attempt to drive a vehicle or walk on the road while the works are being performed without first obtaining approval to do so from onsite crews.
More information
To learn more about how we build, upgrade and maintain a safe and connected local road network, including how we prioritise road maintenance projects, visit our roads page.
Stay up to date with what's happening on our roads visit our roadworks and closures page.
Download our print-friendly fact sheet(PDF, 300KB) on road resealing.