5 Things Many Property Owners Do Not Know About Crack Sealing

What is crack sealing? Crack sealing is an asphalt repair technique that involves applying a sealant to cracks in the pavement. The crack sealant creates a strong bond between the asphalt and any moisture present, which helps prevent moisture from seeping into the ground below. While crack seals are not as effective as full-depth repairs for larger cracks, they do help to make your parking lot safer by eliminating potential tripping hazards.

This blog post explains five things that many property owners may not know about crack sealing.

1. Crack sealing is a time-tested fix which is considered the most cost-effective preventive maintenance method as it prevents water from seeping through the cracks and eroding the base of the pavement, causing further asphalt deterioration.

2. The best time to perform crack sealing is in the spring or fall. Your asphalt pavement expands and contracts with temperature fluctuations, so sealing cracks during these times of year is more effective because it’s when they’re halfway between their minimum and maximum movement.

3. Most property owners don’t realize that it is necessary to prepare the crack before sealing for a more lasting repair. In fact, crack preparation can increase the longevity of the seal by 40%. There are two ways crack preparation is done. The first is the routing or saw cutting preparation method that involves creating a reservoir, so there is enough room for the sealant to adhere to the crack’s sides. The other method calls for using a blower or compressor to blow out any dirt and debris from the crack before the sealant is applied.

4. Over-applying the crack sealant is a common mistake that can be avoided by using a disc on the equipment or having the contracting team follow up with squeegees to ensure the sealant lies tight against surfaces. This is important before resurfacing because hot mix asphalt will melt the excess sealant, creating bumps on the pavement as it cools down. A roller coming along can cause machinery to slip if there’s more melted sealant beneath it than necessary.

5. You may be surprised to learn that crack sealing cannot be used to repair all kinds of cracks. For example, alligator cracks require resurfacing, patching, or repaving; a simple sealant fix cannot hold for long. There are various types of cracks that can be found on an asphalt pavement with varying extents of damage and causes. Thus, in order to determine if crack sealing is the right option for you, you first need to identify the type of crack marring your surface, and for this it is always best to consult the experts!

Finally, crack sealing is a simple process that can save you money and help protect your property for years to come. If you reside in El Paso, TX, don’t risk cracking up your investment! Get in touch with Straight Edge Contractors today to get a free estimate for crack sealing your driveway or parking lot.

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