Proper Surface Preparation for Road Markings with Smets Technology
When applying road markings to newly laid concrete or asphalt, proper surface preparation is essential. Concrete milk (laitance) and bitumen residues can significantly hinder the adhesion of road markings, leading to premature failure. This guide explains when and how to remove these contaminants using high-performance waterblasting technology from Smets Technology.
Why Remove Concrete Milk?
Concrete milk is a weak layer composed of water, fine cement particles, and other residues that rise to the surface during finishing. Though it may appear harmless, this superficial layer prevents road marking materials from bonding effectively to the structural concrete underneath. Over time, this leads to poor durability, uneven wear, and costly maintenance work. Removing laitance ensures that the marking material adheres directly to the strong, cured concrete, resulting in longer-lasting road safety solutions.
Why Remove Bitumen from Asphalt?
New asphalt surfaces contain oils and a bituminous film that tend to migrate to the top layer. This oily residue creates a slick surface, reducing the effectiveness of road marking applications. Under high temperatures or frequent traffic, this can cause markings to blister, peel, or degrade rapidly. Effective removal of this film is essential to achieve strong and durable adhesion between the surface and marking materials.
Removing Bitumen also increases the macrotexture of the road, which increases drainage and friction overall.
The Solution: Smets Technology Waterblasting Equipment
Smets Technology’s waterblasting trucks are built to prepare concrete and asphalt surfaces efficiently, safely, and with precision. These high-capacity machines utilize pressurized water jets to strip away laitance and bituminous layers without damaging the structural integrity of the surface. Whether for small patches or entire stretches of highway, the ARC delivers consistent results.
Key benefits of using Smets ARC include:
- Non-destructive surface cleaning
- Eco-friendly: no abrasives or chemicals
- Highly efficient for large-scale projects
- Optimal preparation ensures superior marking adhesion
- Capable of performing simultaneous cleaning and retexturing
When to Remove Residues
Proper timing is critical to maximize the effectiveness of surface preparation. The best results are achieved when cleaning is done in accordance with the surface’s curing process:
- Concrete: Concrete milk can typically be removed within 3 months after pouring. Many countries implement waiting periods before allowing vehicles on freshly laid concrete to allow for proper curing. Smets equipment can safely clean the surface without disrupting this curing process, and in some cases, laitance removal is combined with retexturing when surface friction values are insufficient.
- Asphalt: Bituminous residues can be waterblasted off as soon as 24 hours after the asphalt is laid, provided the surface has cooled and the bitumen sheen is visible. This timely removal is crucial to ensure the first application of markings adheres properly.
Concrete milk or bitumen removal can also be paired with full surface retexturing of the entire road lane, especially when friction values fall below safe thresholds. In such cases, the ARC can improve friction coefficients by an average of 0.20 to 0.40 Mu—enhancing both road safety and surface grip for vehicles.
