Some would ask why you need to spend the extra money on your dirt roads to control dust. After all, it is only a dirt road, and that should imply that you’re only looking to put in the minimum amount required to provide a means to get from one place to another. A dirt road can consist of anything from “in situ” materials – (whatever was there when you got there), to caliche material brought in, or built-up road base – (base course).
Most people put the most possible into bringing in the material and working it into a usable road leaving very little left to treat the surface afterward or even aware that additional steps are available. However, just going a little further in the final treatment of your road can provide you with some significant benefits. I am talking about placing some sort of surface treatment product that will bind and seal the surface of the road.
In a following article, I will be addressing various types of products for use in treating your dirt roads etc., but for now, I want to talk about the reasons it is important.
Most people put the most possible into bringing in the material and working it into a usable road leaving very little left to treat the surface afterward or even aware that additional steps are available. However, just going a little further in the final treatment of your road can provide you with some significant benefits. I am talking about placing some sort of surface treatment product that will bind and seal the surface of the road.
In a following article, I will be addressing various types of products for use in treating your dirt roads etc., but for now, I want to talk about the reasons it is important.
For Farmers
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- When the dust flies up onto corn stalks it inhibits the photosynthesis process and leads to smaller and less productive stalks.
- When operating equipment, the dust that blows can build up and block the air exchangers in the motors and engines, creating additional mechanical issues
- Of course, there is the obvious reason to anyone who has ever driven down a dirt road behind someone else, you can see below.
For Heavy Haul (Oil Field, Mining, Logging, Etc.)
Flying dust can generate real problems for the local residents, businesses, farms, flora and fauna. If you are in the business to harvest natural resources, you are not really prepared to have to deal with unhappy local home/farm owners, or more importantly possibly the EPA or National Forest Service.
Roads that have dust issues can slow the rate that the drivers are able to safely navigate the roads, which can lead to higher shipping costs along with safety issues.
Roads that have dust issues can slow the rate that the drivers are able to safely navigate the roads, which can lead to higher shipping costs along with safety issues.
- Untreated roads or roads that are treated with only water will rapidly develop washouts, potholes, wash boarding, and general degradation.
Dirt Parking Lots and Equipment Yards
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There are a wide variety of products that you can use to treat your dirt roads and lots, and I will be addressing many of these in a subsequent article, but some questions you should consider before you decide are-
There are a wide variety of products that you can use to treat your dirt roads and lots, and I will be addressing many of these in a subsequent article, but some questions you should consider before you decide are-
- What am I trying to achieve? – Simple dust control, road improvement, or even possibly a “paved-like” surface
- How long do I need this surface to last? (On construction projects this could be important)
- How soon and/or often do I want to have to deal with this again in the future?
- What can I really work with on my budget?