Frequently Asked Questions About Slurry Sealing
1. What is Slurry Seal?
Slurry seal is a petroleum-based emulsion product, mixed with fine aggregate rock, blended on-site in a large truck, and then applied evenly across the entire surface of an asphalt street. A slurry seal is typically 1/4 to 3/8 of an inch thick.
2. What does it do?
Slurry Seal provides a new protective surface to an existing asphalt street. By sealing the street, the base of the road is protected from water damage and the surface is protected from weathering.
3. How are streets identified for Slurry Seal?
Using our Pavement Management System, we select streets that fall within a condition range best suited for treatment. Each street is visited to verify the condition. Some streets are at a level of deterioration requiring more extensive and costly repairs, such as an asphalt overlay. Our goal is to protect good street surfaces early on with a slurry, postponing costly overlays for several years.
4. How much does Slurry Seal cost?
At an estimated cost of approximately $1.50 per square yard (compared to $10.00+ per square yard for an overlay) a slurry seal can extend the serviceable life of a residential street for five to seven years.
5. What will be done to prepare the streets for Slurry Seal?
Crews will be trimming trees, removing any brush or vegetation, sealing cracks and patching street defects prior to the actual slurry seal. These activities may require numerous visits to your street due to the specialized nature of each repair method. This work can be dusty and noisy.
6. How will this affect access to my street?
During the slurry seal application, access to your street will be interrupted for a maximum of 6 hours, one day only, unless the contractor is delayed due to equipment failures, weather-related problems, or other unforeseen reasons. If your street is not sealed as scheduled, it will be added toward the end of the list and you will be re-notified 72 hours in advance of the contractor returning and sealing your street.
7. How will this affect the mail and other services?
It should not affect these services significantly. The Post Office, Police, Fire, Cherriots, garbage, etc., will be notified of the schedule so reasonable accommodations may be made. Garbage companies generally change their routes to pick up early morning on effected streets.
8. After receiving the County notification about work on my street, will they let me know before they actually start work?
Yes, the slurry contractor is required to give notice prior to starting work.
9. Why are small rocks collecting along the edge of my street?
This is a normal short-term occurrence after slurry has been applied. A small percentage of rock does not adhere completely and eventually becomes loose. As cars travel the street, these small rocks are swept to the edge. Our street sweepers will clean up the rocks as they progress along their residential sweeping routes.
10. Will I be able to get in or out of my driveway while they are working?
No traffic will be allowed after the slurry has been placed and is drying. You will need to plan ahead and park on another street if you are planning on coming and going during the drying time. The slurry generally takes 3 hours to dry but may take up to 6 hours depending on temperature, cloud cover, humidity and wind conditions.
11. What specific date will my street be closed?
Specific dates are set by the contractor and not known until after the preconstruction conference. Dates can be changed due to weather. If work has to be rescheduled, you will be given 72 hours advance notice. For the most up to date information, see the
Slurry Seal project page.
12. My street is closed, but nobody is here working. What's going on?
The contractor will do several streets in one day. The lay-down process itself goes relatively quickly. As the day gets hotter, the slurry will cure faster, allowing placement to happen as late as 2:30 p.m.
13. Who do I contact with questions and concerns about the project?
