Paving maintenance contractors understand that it can be challenging to remember to schedule your repairs and preventive maintenance procedures. You may be juggling a lot of different areas of your life during the summer months, and autumn may have sped by before you had a chance to catch your breath. Your pavement may have to endure the winter months as best it can, but by spring, it can be in serious need of a few crack repairs. Fortunately, spring is the best time for asphalt crack repair.
Why Spring Is the Perfect Time for Asphalt Crack Repair
Why Is Spring Ideal for Asphalt Crack Filling and Sealing?
Perhaps you have heard asphalt described as a flexible pavement. This is because asphalt pavements respond to extreme temperatures by expanding and contracting, and they can also respond to loads by flexing under stress before rebounding. To some degree, asphalt pavements are constantly in horizontal or vertical motion. As the pavements move, cracks will open and close in response to the movement. Efforts to repair cracks will be more successful if they are not attempted while the cracks are narrowest or widest. Spring temperatures provide the sweet spot between the two extremes.
Is Crack Sealer the Same as Crack Filler?
Crack sealer and crack filler are two different types of materials that can be used to repair cracks in asphalt pavements. Crack sealers are rubberized materials that remain flexible when temperatures change. Therefore, they can expand and contract with pavement movements. Crack fillers cure to form an inflexible, rigid plug that cannot move with the pavement. This makes them more susceptible to losing their bond with the pavement and developing their own cracks. Whether you need asphalt crack filling or crack sealing will depend on various factors, including the type of crack, its location, and its cause.
How Do Contractors Perform Asphalt Repairs to Mend Cracks?
Your paving contractor will assess your pavement to determine which method to use. He will then select the best material for the task. The contractor’s crew will typically begin by using a router on the crack to smooth its interior and create a uniform void. Next, the crack will be cleaned to remove any dirt, debris, or vegetation, and, if necessary, a heat lance or compressed air may be used to eliminate any moisture. If the contractor is performing crack filling, material will be placed inside the void; sometimes, the material overlaps the edges slightly. If the contractor is performing asphalt crack sealing, the material may be placed over and around the crack, but your contractor may also insert the sealant inside the void. If you can leave the area closed until the material is properly cured, the repair is typically considered complete after this step. However, if you need an immediate reopening, your contractor may dust the material with a powdery substance to prevent tracking.
For Superior Asphalt Repairs and Maintenance, Contact MH Greeson
MH Greeson is a highly regarded paving maintenance company with its headquarters in Marietta. We offer parking lot sealcoating, asphalt crack repair, parking lot striping, bollards, asphalt repairs, and parking lot car stops and signs. We are known for our reasonable prices, our exemplary craftsmanship, and our dedication to customer service. We serve most of North Georgia, so request your free quote by using the online form to send us your information. If you would rather call us, our number is 770-335-2983.
