INCORRECT APPLICATION                                                     CORRECT APPLICATION

Infra-red treatments can be an effective method of asphalt repair when used in the proper application.

Infra-red treatments are NOT recommended for the repair of seams, severly cracked areas, potholes or areas of deteriorated asphalt as indicated in the upper left photo.  They can sucessfully be used in the repair of sunken asphalt to return to the proper elevation as was done in the upper right photo.

Infra-red repairs should only be done in areas where the asphalt has either settled or has heaved up.  In these instances, heating and adjusting the elevation of those areas can be very effective.

Under no circumstances should an infra-red treatment be done in an area where an infra-red treatment has already been done.  Each treatment will rob the asphalt of more of the necessary oil it needs to remain flexible.  Repeated use of infra-red treatments will leave the patch area dry and brittle which will leave it open to very rapid deterioration.

An infra-red treatment consists of heating the existing asphalt.  The treated area is then raked and a small amount of new asphalt is raked in with the old.  Because the amount of new asphalt is minimal, and the existing asphalt has been dried from the heat treatment, the area will become dry and brittle and will almost always look as bad or worse in just a few short months.