For inquiries about chip sealing, dust control, or road maintenance, please call us at (503) 648-1674.
We offer top-notch dust control and chip sealing services as part of our comprehensive road maintenance solutions.
Gravel roads can be restored to like-new condition through effective chip sealing, utilizing a two-coat application. By layering and compacting asphalt and gravel, a level and firm roadway is created. To ensure long-lasting performance and maintain a smooth pavement surface, applying a single layer of chip seal every five years is recommended. This method reflects the traditional approach used for older rural roads and continues to be a vital aspect of road maintenance for many rural county roads while also helping with dust control.
For farms, vineyards, long residential driveways, or any location with a gravel road, dust control is essential. Implementing effective dust control measures will not only reduce dust but also aid in binding small rocks, thereby decreasing the chances of auto paint and windshield chipping. Uncontrolled dust can be inconvenient and poses health risks, particularly when it obstructs sight lines. If you maintain a gravel road, you might also consider chip sealing the roadway as a more permanent solution for road maintenance.
Chip sealing is an effective road maintenance technique that involves spraying a layer of asphalt onto an existing gravel road. After applying the asphalt, a layer of rock is placed over it, completely covering the asphalt. This is then compacted and bound together using a large roller. Chip sealing can be performed in either one or two layers. For most roadways, two layers of rock are recommended for optimal durability. However, for roads in better condition or those that have received a two-coat chip seal within the last five years, a single layer of gravel can effectively maintain the road's quality for an additional five to seven years while also providing dust control.
The longevity of your roadway largely depends on its quality. Typically, a two coat chip sealing can provide a useful life of seven to ten years. However, in the last few years of this period, you may notice increased rutting and potholes developing. This is why we always recommend incorporating road maintenance practices, such as refreshing your roadway with a single layer chip sealing every five to seven years, to ensure optimal dust control and prolong the lifespan of your road.
When considering the cost of chip sealing, several factors come into play. These include the current condition of the road, the location, the size of the job, the difficulty of road access, the amount of small hand work required, and the current cost of asphalt and rock. Additionally, effective dust control measures may influence the overall pricing. As a general guideline, a two coat chip seal typically costs about 30% of the price of hot asphalt pavement. As of 2025, our pricing is approximately $12 per square yard for this type of road maintenance.
Whether your road has previously been chip sealed or paved with hot asphalt, we can apply chip sealing over the top to provide a fresh surface. You may have driven on public roads in the country where you encounter a section that looks like gravel; that is actually a one coat chip seal designed for road maintenance to repair and resurface that part of the road. Additionally, chip sealing can also help with dust control, ensuring a smoother and cleaner driving experience.
Dust generated by vehicular traffic on unpaved roads can lead to road deterioration, sediment run-off, and even negatively affect the health of those exposed. Effective dust control is essential in road maintenance and is achieved using a tanker truck equipped with a specialized pump and spray system to evenly apply products such as Lignosulfonate, Magnesium Chloride, or Earthbind®. While these products may not always be available, they are all effective in controlling dust on unpaved roads, which is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the road surface. Additionally, chip sealing can be considered as part of a comprehensive strategy for long-term road maintenance.
Bretthauer Road Oil has contracts with many cities and counties in Northwest Oregon to apply dust control products for effective road maintenance on their gravel roads. Additionally, we serve a large number of private customers, including HOAs, vineyards, farms, and individual homeowners who seek to maintain their gravel driveways or gravel road frontages, especially when the county does not provide support. Our services also include chip sealing to enhance the durability of these surfaces.
We do not use asphalt for dust control in our road maintenance practices. Instead, we utilize products that are employed by local governments on their roads, which are considered both safe and effective. While there may be a premium product available that the manufacturer claims is more environmentally friendly than other options, we are happy to use that product upon request. However, we advise you on the longevity of any particular product used for chip sealing and dust control.
Northwest Oregon has been experiencing summers that are drier and longer. Dust control is typically performed annually, but depending on various factors, a second round of dust control may be desired. For a longer-term solution, be sure to check out our chip sealing page.
Most of our customers prefer a dust control application on their roadways between May and October, or whenever the seasonal rains begin to fall regularly. Sometimes, a single coat applied in June or July may suffice for many clients. However, more often than not, a second coat is necessary for effective road maintenance.
We charge based on the length and width of the roadway, plus a travel fee if the road is located more than 10 miles from our facility in Hillsboro, Oregon. Standard roadway widths for our chip sealing and dust control services are nine, twelve, sixteen, and eighteen feet.
Contact us, and we will provide you with instructions on how to estimate the cost for road maintenance and how to mark the roadway in preparation for application. When you confirm the service, you will pay a deposit based on the estimated square yardage.
When we come to apply the dust control product, we can let you know if the estimated footage you provided is accurate or if any adjustments need to be made.
For 2025, the average cost for a twelve-foot wide application was $2.75 to $4.00 per roadway lineal foot, depending on the width of your roadway.