Even the strongest asphalt eventually gets worn down after years of soaking up the hot sun or dealing with temperature fluctuations during freezing weather. Taking care of pavements in Florida, Tennessee, Georgia and Puerto Rico for over 20 years teaches you a few things about the importance of taking care of asphalt. When it comes to cracks, we don’t wait around. Seeing signs of damage on the outside surface of the pavement could mean that bigger problems are already starting to develop, and planning for asphalt crack repair makes a big difference in how long the pavement lasts.
WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU IGNORE CRACKS IN THE PAVEMENT?
The majority of cracks you see in asphalt pavement are what we call working cracks. These cracks are usually over one-tenth of an inch in size, and they actively contract and expand with temperature changes that occur throughout the day. When it rains or there’s a leak nearby, water seeps into the crack where it can then begin to break down the pavement’s underlayers. The process of deterioration can accelerate during freezing weather when water turns into ice that places additional pressure on the surrounding pavement.
HOW DO YOU KNOW WHEN IT’S TIME TO REPAIR ASPHALT CRACKS?
The spring and fall tend to be the best times of the year to repair cracks, since the outdoor temperatures usually fall within the range for the sealant or filler to perform at their peak capacity. Inspecting the pavement during these times can often reveal damage that occurred from the scorching summer heat or frigid winter temps.
Determining when a crack is big enough to repair requires a certain level of expertise. Extremely small cracks can often be handled with sealcoating. Once the crack is more than a tenth of an inch wide or deep, we’ll want to start talking about repairs. As a general rule, cracks just tend to get larger, and leaving them alone eventually leads to alligator cracking and potholes.
HOW DO ASPHALT PAVEMENT CONTRACTORS REPAIR CRACKS?
When we come out to repair a crack, we first block off the area for safety purposes. Then, we’ll clean the area using a high pressure sprayer, wire brush and other tools. Our next step is typically to use a router or grinder to create a smooth surface along the walls of the crack for the repair materials to adhere to.
The two main methods we use for asphalt crack repair are filling or sealing the area. A filler is usually the more affordable repair option, but it doesn’t tend to last as long as sealing the crack. Asphalt sealing is better for working cracks, since the material we use is more flexible and capable of standing up to temperature changes.
LET US PROVIDE YOU WITH EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE THAT PROLONGS YOUR PAVEMENT’S LIFE
Parking Specialties is especially known for choosing the right materials for asphalt crack repair, infrared asphalt crack repair, oil spot repair and any other emergency repair that comes up. We also never cut corners on asphalt paving, parking lot striping, parking lot maintenance and layout design, stamped asphalt or sealcoating because we know how important every factor is for preventing cracks in pavement. We offer free quotes through our online form, and you can always give us a call at 352-255-7951 with all of your asphalt crack repair needs.
