Cracked Asphalt: The Most Effective Way to Repair

In the Vegas area, pavement maintenance contractors typically receive more requests to repair cracks than for any other type of asphalt repair. This is quite understandable when you consider the harsh sunlight and copious amounts of automotive fluids that the pavements are subjected to on a daily basis. Once cracks appear in an asphalt pavement, it is essential to repair them promptly to prevent additional damage that is often very expensive to repair.

What Type of Asphalt Repair Is Needed for Cracks?

The most common crack repair method is to insert crackfiller inside the open crack. An asphalt paving maintenance contractor will clean the void to remove dirt, trash, or other debris. Typically, the interior walls of the crack will then be smoothed to ensure a strong bond between the crack fill and the pavement. The crackfiller may be confined within the void, or it may extend a short distance onto the surrounding pavement.

Another technique used for asphalt crack repair is crack sealing. One important difference between crack filling and crack sealing is the material used. Crack fill becomes rigid when it cures, but crack sealant is a rubberized material that can flex with the movement of the pavement. The application method is also a bit different. Depending on the crack, the sealant may only be applied over the crack, but it may also be placed inside the void.

Is Crack Filling a Better Method of Asphalt Repair Than Crack Sealing?

There is no universal answer to that question. Your paving maintenance contractor will first determine the size and type of the crack before recommending a method. In some situations, crack filling will provide a long-lasting, effective solution, but crack sealing will be a better choice in others. The key is to match the crack repair method to each specific pavement and each individual crack.

Is Crack Sealing or Crack Filling an Effective Repair Method for Alligator Cracking?

Cracked asphalt that displays a web of geometric patterns reminiscent of a reptile’s skin is said to be alligatored or suffering from alligator cracking. Although exceptions exist, neither sealing nor filling is an effective method of asphalt crack repair for pavements with alligator cracking. Alligatored asphalt is usually caused by subjecting the pavement to heavier loads than it was built to bear, or it is indicative of a destabilized foundation that is too weak to support normal loads. If the alligator cracking is caused by either of these two things, a more extensive repair is needed, and this is typically a full-depth asphalt patch.

How Do I Know Which Asphalt Crack Repair Method I Need?

The best way to determine the appropriate repair method is to ask a reputable Las Vegas asphalt paving maintenance contractor to inspect your pavement. At Affordable Striping & Sealing, we have been helping property managers and owners resolve their problems with cracked asphalt since 2006. In addition to asphalt crack repair, we offer parking lot striping, asphalt sealcoating, road markings, bumper blocks, parking lot design, traffic signs, and pavement markings. Whether you need a complete parking lot maintenance program, a few crack repairs, or a new parking lot layout, we can provide you with exceptional results and exemplary service at reasonable prices. Contact us for a free quote by calling 702-222-9009, filling out our online request form, or sending an email to Estimating@AffordableStriping.com.