Unfortunately, no asphalt surface is immune to cracking. If the cracks are not repaired, water will seep into the seams and damage the foundation or freeze it, worsening the problem. Dominic’s Paving can help mitigate the problem by fixing and sealing the cracks. This will help to prolong the life of the asphalt and save you money.
Fortunately, we have a team of professionals who can help with crack sealing. Contact us today at (301) 916-8770 to schedule a consultation and get a free estimate.
Asphalt crack sealing is the process of adding an adhesive sealant to a crack on the asphalt surface to prevent the entry of moisture, dirt, debris, and other non-compressible material.
It’s an efficient and cost-effective method of protecting asphalt from damage and extending its lifespan by three to five years. When a detacking agent is applied, a crack-sealed surface can be used immediately.
Asphalt cracks are caused by the force exerted by vehicles’ braking and turning motion. They can also result from instability in the asphalt mix or a weakness in the subgrade layers. Distress on the sub-layers can include swelling, depression, shoving, and rutting.
Other reasons cracks in asphalt pavements form include:
Regardless of how well you take care of the asphalt paving and how many topcoat layers you add, the asphalt bond will wear off with time. When this happens, the pavement will develop surface cracks.
Winter weather can damage asphalt. When it’s cold, the asphalt materials contract, and when snow falls and later melts, water seeps into the asphalt materials and causes cracks. This is an unending cycle that damages the asphalt.
Like the cold, extreme heat damages asphalt paving, resulting in cracks. The heat causes the asphalt to expand, causing pressure that leads to cracks. When rain falls, water seeps through the cracks.
Vegetation can damage asphalt paving through its roots and weeds growing under the paving. While this risk is always present, it can be reduced by planting shrubs and trees a safe distance from your asphalt paving.
The best time to fix asphalt cracks is in the fall and spring when the weather is favorable. This is usually when the temperatures are between 40 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
This temperature range helps the crack filler to stick correctly to the pavement and cure. The seal then covers the filled crack, creating a tight seal.
Crack filling is ideal for non-working cracks in areas that do not receive a lot of traffic. On the other hand, crack sealing is perfect for mending cracks that are half an inch to two inches wide.
While both crack sealants and crack fillers prevent water from seeping into the cracks, crack sealant can move vertically and horizontally with the pavement as it contracts and expands, but crack fillers cannot. When the asphalt pavement expands, the filler gets separated from the cracked wall edges, allowing water to seep through.
Also, crack sealants are made to remain stable at high and low temperatures, while crack fillers aren’t. With these differences, you should use sealant to prevent infiltration and filler to reduce infiltration.
Asphalt crack sealing is a crucial maintenance task to prolong the lifespan and integrity of asphalt surfaces. The process our team follows involves several multiple steps. These steps generally include:
By following these steps, asphalt crack sealing helps extend the life of asphalt surfaces, prevent water penetration, and reduce the need for more costly repairs in the future.
While it may be tempting to DIY asphalt crack sealing, the process requires skill, experience, and sophisticated equipment and safety gear.
Our team at Dominic’s Paving has what it takes to pull it off. Contact us today at (301) 916-8770 for a consultation and free estimate.