How Long Does Asphalt Crack Filler Take to Dry?
Most material used by professional asphalt contractors for crack filling is the hot-pour variety. The material is heated to over 300 degrees before application and dries rapidly after exposure to ambient and surface temperatures. Typically, the filler will dry in 30 to 45 minutes. A parking lot is usually cordoned off in sections so that your business can operate with little disruption. After each section is repaired, it is opened to traffic and the repair crew moves to the next section. Although the crack filler dries quickly, it may take 48 hours or more to fully cure.
Why Is Asphalt Crack Repair Important?
Asphalt crack repair should be included as a routine procedure in any asphalt maintenance program. By repairing cracks quickly, the risk of them progressing into serious and costly repairs is minimized. When left unrepaired, small cracks that first appear will progressively grow in length, width, and depth. Expensive and inconvenient repairs may become necessary if numerous potholes, alligator cracks, or other unsightly and dangerous conditions develop.
It is extremely important to prevent moisture from entering the pavement’s interior. Moisture that enters through cracks is an asphalt pavement’s biggest enemy. When potholes and serious cracking are present, it is almost certain that damage has reached the base layers of the pavement. The base can only be repaired by first removing the damaged asphalt pavement above it and replacing it with new material.
Parking lot maintenance companies recommend a yearly inspection to identify and repair cracks. Quickly repairing cracks will prolong the life of the asphalt pavement. Regular asphalt maintenance that includes crack repair is a cost-effective strategy that will save money over the asphalt pavement’s life.
Can Asphalt Cracking Be Prevented?
Asphalt cracking cannot be prevented. Proper initial construction of the pavement is important to prevent premature cracking, but cracks will eventually appear. Consulting with a reputable and professional asphalt company and adhering to a regular preventive maintenance program is the best way to safeguard the integrity of your asphalt pavement and prolong its life.
Along with regular crack repair, sealcoating should be a regular preventive maintenance procedure. A sealcoating material should always be present on the surface of your pavement. Typically, parking lot maintenance companies recommend sealcoating every two years, but some pavements only need fresh sealcoating every five years and others will need partial or complete applications every year. Crack repairs are always performed before a sealant is applied. After the sealcoating material has dried, pavement striping is reapplied over the new sealant.
Sealcoating plays an important part in protecting asphalt pavement. Sealcoating protects the asphalt from the sun’s damaging UV rays; UV radiation will dry the asphalt binder within the pavement and cause it to be more susceptible to cracking. Sealcoating provides a barrier that prevents oils, chemicals, and salts from damaging the asphalt. As a bonus, sealcoating can enhance the appearance of asphalt pavement. It will help retain or restore the dark color synonymous with new asphalt pavement. Furthermore, although sealcoating cannot repair cracks, it can fill small voids and imperfections to give the surface a smoother, more even appearance.
Can Affordable Striping & Sealing Help With Parking Lot Maintenance?
At Affordable, we specialize in maintenance for asphalt parking lots. We offer a variety of asphalt services, including crack repair, asphalt sealcoating, parking lot striping, signage, wheel stops, and pavement markings. We serve municipalities and counties as well as commercial clients from all industries. We have built an exemplary reputation by consistently delivering high-quality work and superior customer service at affordable prices. You can request a free quote by calling our Las Vegas office at 702-222-9009 or completing the online form.
