Extending Asphalt Life: How One Florida HOA Saves Thousands

Rising Cost of Florida Roads Pose Problems for HOAs

One of the biggest challenges the Heather Ridge community faced was finding innovative ways to extend the lifespan of its roads while optimizing its budget. However, with Florida road maintenance and construction costs rising by 50% since late 2020 (with a 24% annual increase in 2023 alone), the Heather Ridge community had its work cut out for them. 

In addition to rising costs, Heather Ridge is also an underfunded community. This poses a unique set of challenges, including the need for special assessments to justify repairs or preservation projects and the possibility of raising HOA dues, something that would create financial strain for most Heather Ridge residents. 

When looking at other options for asphalt preservation, Michelle stated the community was looking for two things: “First, is longevity — how long it’s going to last, how well it’s going to wear, and secondly, the warranty.”

Rather than using a traditional seal coat, which the community viewed as a temporary fix, it turned to a more innovative solution: HA5 High Density Mineral Bond.

HA5 Provides a Cost-Effective Approach to Asphalt Preservation in Florida

Maintaining asphalt roads in Florida is an expensive process. Traditional approaches to asphalt preservation typically involve using seal coat to apply an additional layer of protection to roadways to protect them from damage. When it’s freshly applied, oils allow the road to flex as cars or other vehicles pass over it. Over time, however, these oils become brittle, and the asphalt loses flexibility. This results in cracks, which can lead to potholes. For asphalt to maintain its flexibility, it has to be continuously reapplied with these oils — an expensive, time-consuming process. 

Florida’s extreme heat, humidity, and frequent rain storms exacerbate these problems, as it’s easier for this protective coating to wear down more quickly. High temperatures cause the asphalt to expand, soften, and become more susceptible to cracking. When a rainstorm happens and water enters these cracks, it accelerates the breakdown, leading to potholes and surface erosion. Over time, the constant cycle of heat, rain, and cooling results in faster degradation compared to cooler climates.

HA5 High Density Mineral Bond is a more effective option for asphalt preservation, particularly in Florida, both in terms of longevity and warranty. The specialized, non-ionic bond of HA5 creates a highly durable, water-resistant surface that minimizes water penetration, helping keep the base layers of asphalt from weakening. With Citrus County getting an average rainfall of 50-55 inches per year, HA5 gives asphalt the extra protection needed to withstand higher moisture levels.

Because HA5 has more longevity than other asphalt preservation methods, it reduces the frequency of maintenance and expensive repairs. This makes it a more cost-effective option in the long term, something the Heather Ridge HOA board said excited them and attracted them to the option. “With the longevity of [HA5], we hopefully should be able to have quite a few years before we have to worry about doing anything else with the roads,” Michelle said.

Enjoy Long-Term, Cost Effective Results with HA5

The decision to go with HA5 was easy for Michelle. After working with the material while performing road maintenance in a previous Florida town, Michelle knew the longevity and warranty of HA5 would be a perfect fit for Heather Ridge. She described the effects HA5 had on Martin Luther King Park in Wildwood, Florida, and knew it would be a “solid solution for Heather Ridge.”

Aside from the longevity and warranty, Michelle knew residents of Heather Ridge would love the aesthetics and durability of HA5 — and she was right. “All I’ve heard is how happy they are and how proud they are of our community, the roads, and how they look,” Michelle said.

When asked what advice she would give other property owners considering HA5 for asphalt preservation, Michelle emphasized the need to do research. “HA5 is more long-term and more durable,” she said. She described how a traditional seal coat is a temporary fix, but Heather Ridge needed something that would last longer to maximize its budget. HA5 was the perfect solution.

“I would absolutely recommend HA5 — both the product and the company — to anybody,” Michelle said.

Contact Holbrook Asphalt to learn more about HA5 and whether it’s right for your property. Or read more of our case studies below to learn how other property owners saved money and improved road conditions using HA5 High Density Mineral Bond.