Our team applies each layer with precision, using quality materials and modern equipment to get the job done right the first time. For expert guidance and smooth, dependable sealing preparation, call (07) 5447 6619 to organise a free quote today.
We help clients across the Sunshine Coast achieve better outcomes by starting with proper preparation. Contact our team on (07) 5447 6619 for advice or to book your next surface prep service.
Before the asphalt goes on, any damage to the primer seal is repaired, the surface is swept clean and it is tack coated (see below). For how the layers fit together, see primer seal vs tack coat on estate roads.
There is no single period. TMR says the contract documents should set it, and it depends on the binder, the weather, the traffic and the stone size. TMR's MRTS11 default minimum before asphalt covers a primer seal with more than 2% cutter oil is 3 months in warm weather and at least 6 months in cooler weather.
MRTS11 (July 2025) calls this treatment an initial seal, counts warm weather as minimum night temperatures above 10°C, and lets the contract annexure set other periods. Some treatments allow a shorter wait. Austroads' Guide to Pavement Technology Part 4K (2026) says initial seals made with bitumen emulsion may be covered with asphalt after only two to three days, and TMR's Technical Note 175 notes that some TMR districts cut the curing time to 2 weeks by using AMC7 or high binder content emulsions.
Timing matters both ways. Covering a primer seal too soon can make the layer above it bleed in the next spell of hot weather. Leaving it too long can let traffic wear it, especially in hot weather, under heavy traffic and at high-stress spots such as intersections and sharp curves. Austroads expects an initial seal to last between 3 and 24 months, depending on the traffic, the stone size and the binder.
A prime is different. Under MRTS11 a prime cannot be covered until it is completely dry, can carry light construction traffic and has been down for at least 3 days, and traffic stays off it unless prime cover material has been spread. Toowoomba's inspection and test plan, for example, holds a primed surface undisturbed for at least 48 hours before the asphalt stage.
On an estate, the building program and the weather also shape how long the primer seal stays in service, so settle the curing period and the asphalt timing when the job is programmed.
Send the civil drawings, the surfacing specification and the council conditions, with the areas and dates for each stage. Tell us who is laying the asphalt, so the handover can be planned, and whether any works touch a state-controlled road, which also needs TMR approval. For what shapes the price, see what drives spray seal costs.
You can also email plans to admin@cuzkell.com.au or call (07) 5447 6619, Monday to Friday, 6am to 6pm.
A tack coat is a thin spray of bitumen emulsion, with no stone, applied just before paving so the new asphalt bonds to the layer below. A primer seal goes down much earlier, with stone, and carries traffic until the asphalt. Under TMR's MRTS30 (March 2024), the tack coat must break and be dry to touch before paving. MRTS30 does not require one over a seal placed that day or the day before that has not carried traffic and looks clean, so a primer seal that has carried construction traffic is tack coated. Project and council specifications can differ. For the full comparison, read primer seal vs tack coat.
Contact Cuzkell today to discuss your bitumen sealing needs. Our experienced team is ready to provide reliable advice, clear quotes, and prompt service for projects of any size.
Based on the Sunshine Coast and servicing surrounding areas including Gympie, Kingaroy, Maryborough, Hervey Bay, Bundaberg, Gayndah, Dalby, Nambour, Caboolture and Chinchilla, our team delivers reliable bitumen spray sealing solutions for all types of projects.
Whether it’s a local driveway or a major reseal for a regional roadway, we bring the tools, experience and know-how to get the job done right. With a friendly, professional team and a strong commitment to safety and quality, we’re here to make the bitumen sealing process simple, efficient and stress-free.
Phone: (07) 5447 6619
Address: 3 Johnson Ct, Cooroy QLD 4563, Australia
Office: 07 5447 6619
Anthony: 0427 890 222
Joel: 0428 896 333
ABN: 78 650 464 136
ACN: 650 464 136