- 20+ Years in Germiston
- Own Crew & Plant
- Free Written Quotes
- One Contractor, Full Accountability
About Chip & Spray
Chip and spray, also called surface dressing or single seal, is a sprayed bitumen binder with a layer of stone chip rolled and bedded into it while the binder is still hot. It seals the base underneath, restores skid resistance, and gives a durable, textured surface at a lower cost per square metre than hot-mix asphalt. We apply it on private and estate roads, industrial and business yards, farm access roads, and municipal contracts across Germiston, the East Rand and Johannesburg, wherever the traffic and budget suit a sprayed seal rather than a full asphalt overlay. The binder application rate and chip size are matched to the traffic the surface will actually carry, not applied off a standard spec sheet, using our own crew and equipment rather than a subcontracted gang.
What's Included
- Base or gravel assessed for compaction, shape, drainage
- Soft or failed material dug out and replaced
- Potholes and edge breaks patched before resealing
- Crossfall corrected so water sheds off the surface
- Bitumen binder sprayed at a rate set for traffic
- Stone chip spread and rolled in while binder is workable
- Loose, unbonded chip broomed off once bedded in
- Cape seal or double seal upgrade for high traffic
Our Process
- 1
Assess and Prepare
We assess the existing base or gravel for compaction, shape and drainage fall, digging out and replacing any soft or failed material. On a reseal we patch potholes and repair edge breaks first and correct the crossfall so water sheds off the surface rather than sitting on it.
- 2
Apply the Binder
We spray the bitumen binder using our own equipment at a rate calculated for the specific traffic, chip size and surface condition, not a generic rate applied to every job. Getting this right is what separates a seal that lasts seven to ten years from one that needs redoing within two.
- 3
Spread and Roll Chip
Stone chip sized to suit the binder and traffic is spread evenly across the sprayed binder while it's still workable, then rolled with a pneumatic-tyred roller to bed it in and orientate it for maximum contact. The spray truck and roller run as one coordinated pass so rolling happens before the binder cools.
- 4
Broom, Cure and Open
Once bedded, we broom off loose, unbonded stone, leaving the surface safe to use. Light traffic can generally use it within a day, with full curing over the following weeks. For higher-traffic sites we can apply a cape seal or double seal for a smoother, longer-lasting finish.
Project Gallery
Chip & Spray FAQ
What is chip and spray surfacing?
Chip and spray, also called surface dressing or single seal, is a sprayed layer of hot bitumen binder with stone chip rolled and bedded into it while the binder is still workable. It seals the base underneath, restores skid resistance, and gives a durable, textured running surface. It's widely used on private roads, estate roads, farm access roads and industrial yards where a full asphalt build isn't justified by the traffic, and it's the technique underneath a cape seal once a slurry finish coat is added on top.
How long does a chip and spray surface last before it needs resealing?
A properly installed chip and spray surface typically lasts seven to ten years before it needs a reseal, and can run longer on lower-traffic surfaces like estate or farm roads with good drainage and routine maintenance. How long it actually lasts on your site depends on traffic volume, whether the binder rate was correctly matched to that traffic at installation, and whether water is draining off the surface properly rather than sitting on or against it.
What is the difference between chip and spray and asphalt?
Chip and spray sprays a bitumen binder and rolls loose stone chip into it, giving a textured surface at a lower cost per square metre. Asphalt is a pre-mixed, hot-laid material that is compacted into a smooth, dense surface and generally lasts longer under heavy or constant traffic. Chip and spray suits lighter-traffic roads and yards where the lower upfront cost outweighs asphalt's longer lifespan; asphalt suits driveways, parking areas and roads carrying heavier or more frequent traffic.
Is it normal for a new chip and spray surface to shed loose stone?
Some loose stone in the first few days after installation is normal. Early traffic and our own brooming bed the remaining chip into the binder and clear off what never embedded. Ongoing or heavy stone loss after that first week isn't normal, and usually points to an under-specified binder rate, chip that wasn't rolled in properly, or traffic using the surface before it had cured enough to take it.
Can chip and spray be used for industrial yards and business parking?
Yes, provided the traffic volume and vehicle weight suit a sprayed seal rather than requiring full asphalt. It's a common choice for yards with periodic heavy-vehicle traffic where the site doesn't justify an asphalt build, and it can be specified as a cape seal for a smoother, more durable finish where turning trucks and forklifts put more stress on the surface than typical estate-road traffic.
Ready to start your project?
Get a free, no-obligation quote from Germiston’s trusted road construction, tarring and paving team.