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PSI soil stabilization and pulverizing equipment working on a road base project in the BC Interior
Soil Stabilization & Pulverizing  ·  Kamloops & Salmon Arm

Stabilization &
Pulverizing.
Stronger Base. Longer Life.

Transform failing pavement into a solid, load-bearing foundation — without the cost of full excavation. PSI's stabilization and pulverizing services recycle existing materials in place, rebuilding the base from the ground up for a longer-lasting surface ready for paving.

100%
In-Place Recycling
Existing materials reused on site
40–60%
Cost Savings
vs. full excavation & replacement
300mm+
Treatment Depth
Full-depth base rehabilitation
100%
One Point of Contact
PSI manages the entire project
01
What Is Stabilization & Pulverizing
Rebuilding from Below

Fix the base, not just
the surface.

Most pavement failures start below the surface. Cracking, rutting, and settlement are symptoms of a weak or deteriorating base — and no amount of milling or resurfacing will fix the root cause.

Soil stabilization permanently improves the load-bearing capacity of existing subgrade materials by blending them with additives like Portland cement, lime, or emulsified asphalt. The result is a chemically bonded, moisture-resistant base that can support heavy traffic for decades.

Pulverizing is the mechanical process of grinding the existing asphalt and base into a uniform, blended material — all in place, without hauling anything off site. Once pulverized, the material is re-graded, compacted, and either stabilized with additives or used directly as a recycled aggregate base for new asphalt paving.

One process. Zero waste.
A stronger foundation than the original.
By the Numbers
40–60%
Less expensive than full excavation, removal, and base replacement — saving on trucking, disposal, and new aggregate import.
300mm+
Treatment depth — pulverizers work through the full pavement structure into the subgrade, addressing failures that surface repairs can't reach.
100%
Material recycled in place. Existing asphalt and base aggregate are blended and reused — nothing goes to landfill and no new aggregate is trucked in.
2–3×
Increased load-bearing capacity when cement or lime stabilization is applied to weak subgrade soils, extending pavement life by decades.
PSI pulverizing equipment grinding asphalt and base material in the BC Interior
Paving on Pulverized Base  ·  PSI
Reclaimer blending stabilized base material on a soil stabilization project
Stabilization  ·  PSI
02
Our Process

From failed base to
pave-ready surface.

Every stabilization project follows a controlled, engineered sequence. PSI coordinates the entire process — from initial assessment through final compaction — so you have one point of contact and zero gaps between trades.

01
Site Assessment
Inspect pavement condition, base depth, and subgrade strength. Core samples and visual assessment determine whether stabilization, pulverizing, or full excavation is the right approach.
02
Pulverizing
A reclaimer grinds the existing asphalt and underlying base into a uniform crushed blend — typically 200–300mm+ deep. All material stays on site for reuse.
03
Stabilization
Where required, Portland cement, lime, or asphalt emulsion is spread and blended into the pulverized material by the reclaimer, creating a chemically bonded base.
04
Grade & Compact
The blended base is graded to engineered slope and cross-fall specifications, then compacted to maximum density with vibratory rollers.
05
Pave-Ready
The finished base is verified for grade and density, then transitions directly to paving — all coordinated by PSI as your single point of contact.
♻
Zero Waste
100% of existing pavement and base is recycled in place. No material leaves the site, no new aggregate is imported — reducing trucking, disposal costs, and environmental impact.
⚡
Faster & Cheaper
Stabilization eliminates the need for full excavation, hauling, and new base import — cutting project timelines and costs by 40–60% compared to traditional reconstruction.
🔧
Fixes the Root Cause
Surface repairs treat symptoms. Stabilization strengthens the subgrade itself — correcting drainage issues, improving load capacity, and preventing the same failures from returning.
03
When to Stabilize
Aerial view of PSI soil stabilization and pulverizing project in the BC Interior
Stabilization vs. Resurfacing

The right fix when your
base has failed.

If your pavement shows widespread alligator cracking, deep rutting, settlement, or chronic drainage failure, the problem is almost always below the surface. Milling and resurfacing won't solve a base issue — the same failures will return within a few years.

Soil stabilization and pulverizing address the root cause by rebuilding the base in place. PSI assesses every site honestly during the free inspection — we don't push stabilization when milling or an overlay is the better solution, and we don't recommend resurfacing when the base needs attention first.

Request a Quote
PSI crew performing base rehabilitation on a stabilization project in the BC Interior
Base Rehabilitation  ·  PSI
Aerial view of PSI soil stabilization project site in the BC Interior
On Site  ·  PSI
04
Why Choose PSI

One crew. One call.
Base to surface.

PSI coordinates stabilization, pulverizing, grading, and paving under one project manager. One call, one point of contact — we manage the full scope so you don't have to chase multiple contractors.

✦
Single Point of Contact
Stabilization, grading, compaction, and paving — all coordinated by PSI. One project manager, one schedule, no gaps between trades.
✦
Modern Equipment
Purpose-built reclaimers and stabilizers for precision depth control and uniform additive distribution across the full treatment area.
✦
Honest Assessment
If milling or an overlay will do the job, we'll tell you. PSI only recommends stabilization when the base genuinely needs it.
✦
Local Knowledge
We know BC Interior soils — from Kamloops clay to Shuswap silt. That experience translates directly into the right stabilization approach for your site.
Service Areas
Kamloops · Sun Peaks · Salmon Arm · Chase · Sorrento · Blind Bay · Enderby · Armstrong · Vernon · Sicamous · Revelstoke · North & South Shuswap
05
FAQ

Soil Stabilization & Pulverizing
Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about stabilization and pulverizing services in the BC Interior.

What is soil stabilization?

Soil stabilization is the process of permanently improving the load-bearing capacity of existing subgrade and base materials. Additives like Portland cement, lime, or asphalt emulsion are blended into the soil using a reclaimer, creating a chemically bonded, moisture-resistant base that can support heavy traffic and extend the life of your asphalt pavement by decades.

What is asphalt pulverizing?

Pulverizing uses a reclaimer to grind the existing asphalt surface and underlying base into a uniform crushed blend — all in place, without removing anything from the site. The resulting material is then re-graded, compacted, and either stabilized with additives or used directly as a recycled aggregate base for new paving.

When is stabilization better than milling or resurfacing?

If you're seeing widespread alligator cracking, deep rutting, settlement, or chronic drainage failure, the problem is in the base — not the surface. Milling only removes the top layer and works well when the base is still strong. Stabilization addresses the root cause by rebuilding the entire base structure in place.

How deep does pulverizing go?

Our reclaimers can pulverize to depths of 300mm or more, working through the asphalt surface, base course, and into the subgrade. The exact depth is determined during the site assessment based on the condition and structure of your existing pavement.

What additives are used in stabilization?

The most common stabilizing agents include Portland cement, lime, and emulsified or foamed asphalt. The right additive depends on the soil type, moisture conditions, and structural requirements of the project. PSI determines the best approach during the site assessment and can coordinate lab testing for engineered mix designs on larger projects.

Is pulverized material recyclable?

Yes — 100%. That's one of the primary advantages. All existing asphalt and base material is ground, blended, and reused directly on site as new base. Nothing goes to landfill, no new aggregate is imported, and trucking is virtually eliminated.

How much does stabilization cost compared to full reconstruction?

Stabilization and pulverizing typically cost 40–60% less than full excavation and replacement. The savings come from eliminating trucking, disposal fees, and the import of new aggregate — while producing a base that often outperforms the original construction.

How long does a stabilized base last?

A properly stabilized and compacted base can support pavement for 20 years or more, depending on traffic volume, soil conditions, and maintenance practices. Cement-stabilized bases in particular offer excellent long-term performance and moisture resistance in the BC Interior's freeze-thaw climate.

Can stabilization fix drainage problems?

Absolutely. Because pulverizing and re-grading rebuilds the entire base profile, it's an ideal opportunity to correct slope and cross-fall deficiencies that cause water pooling. Proper drainage is one of the most important factors in long-term pavement performance — and it's built into every PSI stabilization project.

Does PSI handle paving after stabilization?

Yes. PSI coordinates the full scope — stabilization, grading, and asphalt paving — under one project manager. You get one point of contact from start to finish, which means tighter scheduling, consistent quality standards, and no gaps between trades.

Free Site Assessment

Base problems?
Let's fix them right.

PSI provides honest assessments and free quotes for soil stabilization and pulverizing projects across the BC Interior.

778.200.2166
Work with us