What Property Managers Should Know About Asphalt Crack Repair
If you are a property manager, you have to juggle many tasks to meet the expectations of owners and shareholders. You are expected to keep current tenants and their customers happy by providing a safe, well-maintained property. You are expected to attract new, high-quality tenants. You are also expected to protect the owners’ assets so that they can maximize the return on their investments. To fulfill these expectations, you may have a maintenance contract to ensure that the air conditioning system functions properly. You may hire a professional to take care of the landscaping, the painting or the cleaning. However, if you are ignoring asphalt crack repair, you could be losing out on some important benefits.
Why Is Asphalt Crack Repair Important?
Crack repair is a vital part of a proactive asphalt maintenance plan. Cracks in asphalt pavement can be caused by exposure to harsh sunlight, overweight vehicles, ground movement, petrochemicals or normal aging of the pavement. However, regardless of why the cracks form, they will continue to grow as more vehicles pass over them and as the pavement is exposed to additional damage from the sun, oil leaks and temperature fluctuations.
Cracks permit water to leak beneath the pavement and damage the supporting foundation. Even a relatively small amount of water can weaken the foundation enough to cause the pavement to sag. Potholes can form, or the pavement can develop alligator cracking. Alligator cracking is a serious problem that typically requires reconstruction of the affected area. In addition to the risk of water infiltration, vegetation can begin to grow in the cracks, causing additional damage to the pavement.
If you want to avoid paying for expensive repairs or having your pavement rebuilt due to premature deterioration, you should repair cracks promptly. At least once each year, have a reputable asphalt contractor fill or seal any cracks; depending on your situation, you may need to have repairs made every six months. Ask your contractor about a maintenance program that offers automatic inspections and crack repairs. A preventive maintenance plan can simplify your job, saving you both time and money.
Should Cracks Be Filled or Sealed?
Even experienced contractors sometimes use asphalt crack sealing and asphalt crack filling as interchangeable terms, but the two procedures are not identical. The size of the crack, whether it is inactive or active, the condition of the surrounding pavement and the location of the crack determine which procedure is best for a specific crack. One crucial difference between the two procedures is the type of material used for the repair. Asphalt crack filler, for example, is not as flexible as crack sealer, so it works best for inactive cracks. Conversely, rubberized crack sealers are able to move with the pavement when it contracts and expands due to changes in temperature. These pavement movements can cause asphalt crack filler to break its bond with the pavement, making it possible for traffic to dislodge the material.
Of the two methods, asphalt crack sealing is typically a bit more expensive, but it is also a longer-lasting repair. Many contractors consider asphalt crack filling to be an annual maintenance procedure due to its shorter life expectancy. Both methods are intended to repair cracks that run in a straight line, and neither method is viable for repairing alligator cracking.
Let Affordable Striping & Sealing Help
Affordable Striping & Sealing is a Las Vegas-owned company that specializes in asphalt maintenance for commercial clients. We offer asphalt crack repair, seal coating, pavement striping and pavement marking, parking lot design and layout, road markings, traffic sign installation and bumper blocks. We can help you create an effective maintenance plan that will help prolong the life of your asphalt pavement. We have an impeccable reputation for providing exceptional customer service and outstanding quality at an affordable price. To obtain a free quote, simply call 702-222-9009 or submit the online form.
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