Overbanding: The Truth

Overbanding is certainly a contentious subject and its use on our road network has been controversial with reports of accidents due to skidding and unsightly images of bitumen creeping out from the sides of a patch repair.

Sealing the joints of a repair to prevent water ingress and progressive fretting makes sense, so why isn’t overbanding being used on every permanent repair? Is it due to bad press? Are contractors concerned that products are costly and not fit for purpose? Are  the products on the market blighting the roads with unsightly repairs?

With reports in the press of tragedies on our road network, it has never been more important to ensure only certified products are used for repairs. To guarantee road safety is maintained it is compulsory to choose a solution that is HAPAS Approved, as per the requirements of the SROH S11.7. This clause states ‘All materials used for overbanding shall have a current HAPAS Approval certificate’ and offer ‘a minimum skid resistance value of 55’ – particularly important for motorcyclists, cyclist and horses. Failure to comply can lead to early failure and violate SROH requirements.

Overbanding is costly, is an argument put forward and whilst this may be the case in the short term, the long term benefits of using overbanding are much more cost effective. Overbanding materials have been proven to provide an excellent method of preventative maintenance. Designed for application to asphalt roads they provide a permanent repair by preventing water ingress and progressive fretting – a prime reason for the failure of reinstatements.

Using materials that provide a first time permanent repair eliminates costly repeat visits to the same site, which in turn vastly reduces the whole life costs of a repair. New overbanding solutions are quick and easy to heat apply and can be trafficked instantly which minimises the need for costly traffic management,

So the preconceived ideas of overbanding are wrong. These concerns over cost, safety and application have certainly moved forward over recent years with manufacturers developing materials which deliver all of the benefit with none of the risk. Overbanding is safer, more efficient and providers neater and more attractive surface finish than historic methods.

Innovation, listening to the needs of the industry and providing real solutions has always been of the utmost importance to Instarmac Group plc. With this in mind, in 2012, they worked alongside the British Board of Agrément to develop the UK’s first HAPAS approved thermoplastic overbanding tape – UltraCrete Instaband ECO.

Instaband ECO has been tested over time to ensure compliance SROH requirements. It has been proven to provide a waterproof seal on asphalt and is an excellent method of preventative maintenance. The product’s simple application method provides contractors with an effective way of protecting and prolonging the life of new and in-situ reinstatements, as well as repairing joints and cracks in older wearing courses.

Instaband ECO boasts a skid resistance value of 60, exceeding the demands of SROH, and can be opened to traffic in just 10 minutes, eliminating costly Section 84 fines.

Instaband ECO is available for specification via the RIBA Product Selector. Add Instaband ECO to your specification.

Instarmac: Listening, innovating and delivering to the market.

For further information on HAPAS and the benefits of using HAPAS Approved products, please contact our team of technical experts by calling 01827 254402 or emailing ultracrete@instarmac.co.uk.