Preserving the beauty and long life of your asphalt pavement requires periodic maintenance, including the timely repair of cracks. If left unrepaired, cracks in the surface of asphalt pavement will eventually lead to water infiltrating into the base levels of the pavement construction, resulting in the accelerated expansion of the surface cracks and the formation of potholes. Alligator cracking can also develop, and depending on its severity, this may require cutting out portions of the pavement, repairing the base levels and installing new asphalt at the site of the repair. In extreme cases of deterioration due to neglect, the entire asphalt pavement may need to be reconstructed. With a preventive maintenance program in place and adhered to, repair costs can be kept to a minimum and the life of the asphalt pavement prolonged.
Asphalt Crack Sealing Basics | Atlanta, GA | The Importance of Preventive Maintenance
Many factors affect the condition of the asphalt pavement. When properly constructed, asphalt pavement should last for many years or even decades. An ongoing preventive maintenance program will preserve the asphalt pavement’s beauty and longevity, but it will also reduce overall costs during the pavement’s extended lifetime.
• Periodically having the asphalt pavement sealcoated will greatly enhance its beauty and longevity. Sealcoating is the application of a protective surface that reduces the effects of UV radiation and other weathering and aging conditions. The frequency of sealcoating varies and should be determined by a professional and experienced asphalt contractor.
• Vehicle fluids should be removed from the surface of the pavement and not allowed to seep into the asphalt. The combination of the petroleum in the asphalt and in the vehicle fluids will cause a breakdown of the asphalt binder and the eventual failure of the pavement. Sealcoating slows the rate at which these fluids will reach the asphalt, but unless the spills are removed periodically, the fluids can eat through the sealcoating and damage the pavement.
• Debris that accumulates on the asphalt surface, including leaves and trash, should be removed regularly. Debris that is left too long will eventually accumulate moisture and begin or accelerate the process of forming cracks or potholes.
Although sealcoating and other methods of prevention are a deterrent to premature failure of the pavement, cracks will eventually appear in the asphalt pavement. At the first appearance of cracking, measures should immediately be taken to reduce potential damage.
Asphalt Crack Sealing Basics | Atlanta, GA |Crack Repair
Once cracks appear on the surface of your asphalt pavement, you should engage an asphalt contractor to evaluate the issue and determine the best course of action. Any repair to a crack in your pavement requires the crack to be clean and dry. Compressed air or hot-air lances are often used to properly prepare the crack for filling. A motorized wire wheel may be used; for larger cracks, a carbide-tipped flailing star may be used to router the crack and give it a more uniform and smoother surface to aid in sealant adhesion. Materials vary and can be either a cold application variety for smaller cracks or the widely used and frequently preferred hot application variety. For hot applications, the filler material is usually heated in a kettle and pumped into the crack using a hose and wand.
If You Need Asphalt Services, Contact MH Greeson
MH Greeson Paving offers a full range of services for the asphalt maintenance of asphalt pavements. Our services include asphalt crack repairs, asphalt paving, seal coat, parking lot striping, car stops, pothole repairs, asphalt patching, traffic signs and bollards. Our references are impeccable, the quality of our work is exceptional and our prices are affordable. If you have more questions about Asphalt Crack Sealing Basics | Atlanta, GA, or would like to obtain a free, no-obligation estimate, submit the quote request form online or call us at (770) 335-2983.
