Road striping application and removal of a high quality is one of the most important aspects of a safe roadway that is efficient, has a proper traffic flow and effectively guides road users towards their intended travel path. The markings on paved surfaces tell drivers and pedestrians where to go, and tell drivers any specific limitations regarding the road. They communicate where the vehicle should be stopped, how it should align, lane positioning and other important information.
On the other hand, the proper removal of road markings can greatly affect your budget and the wellbeing of surrounding pedestrians if the removal is done with a machine that creates large quantities of residue.
How Is Road Striping Done?
Road striping requires a few pieces of equipment; a single person air-spray lining machine (imagine a golf cart), and paint or tape. The most commonly used paints are water based. They are low cost but have low reflectivity. Thermoplastic paints on the other hand, contain glass beads to increase reflectivity and visibility, are usually heated to about 400 degrees F, and then applied to the pavement.
How is Road Striping Removed?
Grinding
Grinders remove the surface striping embedded into the asphalt, but will result in scarring. With a scarred surface and tiny holes, ice can collect during wintertime and create a slippery, unsafe surface for road users.
Now, with grinding and essentially “filing” away the old paint, comes debris. Unless this debris is vacuumed up by a truck, it is left on the road to be swept away by wind, rain, and other weather conditions.
Water Blasting
This technique uses water with an incredibly high amount of pressure to blast away old paint. The result is nearly needle-sharp water coming out of the jets that can get into the tiniest pores and holes in the asphalt in order to lift away the road markings. Water blasting is also a superbly versatile technique as it is able to remove tape as well. It is an environmentally friendly technique as it uses no harsh chemicals, and does not create dust.
There are so many different ways to apply and remove road striping. Quality of application should be especially paid attention to in order to get a high quality result. This ensures road users are safe, and directed to their intended path effectively. Contact Richmond Blacktop for a free quote and advice on your upcoming project! Please do not hesitate to contact Richmond Blacktop should you have any questions – we will complete your road striping project on time and at the highest standard.
