If you give your asphalt pavement the care that it needs, it will have a much longer life. Furthermore, you will also spend less on frequent or costly repairs. To achieve both of these goals, you want to make sure that you schedule timely asphalt crack repairs.
Why Do Asphalt Pavements Crack?
There can be many causes of cracks in an asphalt pavement. The following list covers four common causes.
- If the pavement is less than two or three years old, the cracks may indicate that they used inferior materials. It could also show that the paving company botched the installation.
- By the time that the pavement is eight years old, cracks could start to develop from exposure to sunlight. Ultraviolet radiation makes asphalt pavements brittle, dry, and more susceptible to cracking.
- At any age, placing more stress on the pavement than the paving company engineered it to withstand can cause cracking. The stress can be the result of heavier vehicles, more numerous vehicles, or both.
- An unstable pavement foundation can also cause cracks to form. If the contractor built the pavement correctly, foundation instability is usually the result of water penetration.
What Does an Asphalt Crack Repair Involve?
There are two methods of repairing cracks in asphalt pavements: crack filling and crack sealing. Regardless of the method, the first step is to clean out the crack and clean the adjacent pavement. If necessary, we may use a router to smooth the interior walls of the crack.
What Is the Difference Between the Two Methods of Asphalt Crack Repair?
The primary difference between crack filling and crack sealing is the repair material. There can also be some minor application differences.
- Asphalt crack sealing involves the placement of a flexible, rubberized material over the crack. We may also insert some of the material into the crack. The pliability of the material allows it to expand and contract with the pavement without breaking its bond. We can repair virtually any type of crack by sealing it. Crack sealing is the longer-lasting repair method, but it costs a bit more.
- Asphalt crack filling involves inserting a fill material into the crack. We may also extend the filler a short distance onto the adjacent pavement. The filler material becomes inflexible upon curing, so it can lose its bond if the pavement expands or contracts. It is also possible for the filler material to develop cracks of its own. Furthermore, there are some cracks that really require sealing rather than filling. Crack filling is less expensive than sealing, but the repair will have a shorter life. Therefore, it may be more cost-effective to seal cracks rather than fill them repeatedly.
Whichever method you use, the important thing is to close the cracks to keep out water, dirt, and automotive fluids. The experts at Affordable Striping & Sealing would be happy to help you choose the right method of asphalt crack repair. We also offer asphalt sealcoating, traffic sign installations, road markings, parking lot layouts, bumper block installations, parking lot striping, and comprehensive parking lot maintenance plans. Our employees are some of the finest and most professional in the industry. We have an exceptional reputation for exemplary service, integrity, and workmanship. If you are interested in requesting a free job quote, you can call 702-222-9009, email Estimating@AffordableStriping.com, or fill out the online form.
