How This Arizona HOA Went From 70% to 100% Funded By Using A High Density Mineral Bond

A Look at Road Conditions in Lone Mountain Community

Cave Creek, Arizona, is surrounded by natural desert beauty, with gorgeous views of desert mountains, desert vegetation, and wildlife. The city is home to nearly 5,000 residents and is ideal for individuals who enjoy the outdoors but still want to be close to the city. Cave Creek is known as a family-friendly and safe environment, mostly filled with newer homes built in the 2010s.

As is the case in most private communities, the Lone Mountain homeowners association is fully responsible for the management and maintenance of the communities roadways. A project that size is a challenge. Especially when you consider the vast majority of HOA Boards in the US are volunteer positions which are usually not filled by pavement preservation experts.

Cave Creek’s climate is hard on pavement.  Typically the area experiences summer temperatures well over 100°F, which causes asphalt to lose the vital oils that keep it flexible. The intense heat accelerates oxidation, a process where environmental factors cause asphalt to deteriorate more rapidly. Additionally, while Cave Creek does see limited rainfall most of the year, monsoon season brings sudden, heavy storms that cause water pooling.

Asphalt going from very dry to sudden downpours sometimes results in premature failure and erosion in the areas exposed to flowing water.

Lone Mountain sought to avoid premature road failure, as road maintenance was a big cost. Steve described the need for the community to find more cost-effective options for Cave Creek asphalt maintenance to keep Lone Mountain roads not only looking nice but performing well, too.

“The roads probably represent 60% or more of our fixed assets,” Steve said. “It’s a very important asset to plan for the future and to try to keep them in good shape and avoid massive reconstruction of our roads, which would be a huge expense.”

Why Lone Mountain Chose HA5 for Asphalt Preservation

To protect the community’s budget, Steve described his research into a few different options for this Cave Creek community’s pavement preservation, including traditional seal coat options. However, the board wanted a solution that provided more longevity and durability than a traditional seal coat. That was when they were introduced to HA5 High Density Mineral Bond by their reserve analyst. 

“Our primary consideration [for asphalt preservation] was the appearance, longevity, and obviously the financials — how much it’s going to cost and how long it’s going to last,” Steve said. After running the initial numbers, Steve was excited to see that after the ROI analysis of the solution, HA5 was well worth the cost. He described visiting another community that had applied HA5 seven to eight years prior and how well the roads were looking — despite getting close to the ten-year lifespan.

As we mentioned above, roads in Cave Creek are exposed to extreme heat and sudden rainstorms. In this environment it’s easy for asphalt to become dry and brittle, and lose flexibility.

This is exactly the scenario that HA5 High Density Mineral Bond is designed to prevent. Essentially, the high density mineral bond prevents the asphalt from losing those vital oils as easily under high temperatures, which in turn helps pavement maintain its integrity for longer. The superior water resistance of HA5 can easily withstand the monsoon season as the material effectively seals the surface and prevents water from penetrating into the pavement.

HA5 Improved Financial Projections and Road Conditions for Lone Mountain Community

Because HA5 has a longer lifespan than other asphalt preservation methods, it has the potential to save property owners a significant amount of money. It was that longevity that attracted Lone Mountain to the solution even more. 

“From my treasurer’s hat, we were actually able to improve the projections of our reserve fund,” Steve said. “At the time, we were about 70% funded for our estimated replacement and maintenance of fixed assets. Through the enhanced life cycle of HA5, after we completed the project, we were about 100% funded. Financially, it was a very good move for us.”

When asked if Steve would recommend HA5 to other property owners, he gave an enthusiastic yes. “It’s a good product and we get a lot of favorable feedback on how the roads look…it was a really good move,” he said.

Want more information about HA5 and how it can benefit your property? Contact Holbrook Asphalt today to set up a consultation. 

Curious how other communities have benefitted from HA5? Check out more real-life case studies here.