EXPERT ADVICE
should be observed and monitored to know when to begin crack sealing . Keep in mind that in order for a sealant to prevent water infiltration it first has to be able to be placed in the crack .
“ For sealant to penetrate into the crack the width must be in the 1 ⁄ 8 ” - 1 ⁄ 4 ” range , if you are not going to rout the crack wider . This generally will be in the 24-month period after the pavement has been laid . One can wait longer but I find that most asphalt pavements will require some attention to crack sealing by the 36th month . Waiting longer and letting cracks open wider invites moisture into the pavement and accelerates the overall pavement deterioration .”
Crack sealing is considered by many to be the lowest-cost-with-highest-benefit pavement preservation treatment .
“ As the result of extensive research programs funded by Strategic Highway Research Program ( SHRP ) and Federal Highway Administration ( FHWA ), it has been amply demonstrated and documented that sealing cracks in flexible pavements is a sound preventive maintenance procedure , which adds many years to the life of the pavement , especially when used in conjunction with other preventive techniques such as slurry seal , chip seals and sealcoating ,” stated Girish C . Dubey , president of STAR , Inc ., Columbus , Ohio . “ According to National Asphalt Pavement Association ( NAPA ), 94 % highways in the US are paved with asphalt and the practice of crack sealing has been used for decades quite effectively for their preservation and maintenance .”
How can you tell if a crack is beyond repair for cracksealer ?
“ Generally , we look at the cracks edges to tell us how best to proceed with a repair ,” stated Ben Thielbar , director of sales , Cimline , Inc ., Plymouth , Minn . “ Are they crumbling or spalling with additional wide spread cracking like an alligator area . If they are crumbling or spalling it generally needs to be removed . The sealant will stick to the asphalt that is not the issue--but if the asphalt can adhere to itself , you will have the crack sealant pull out of the repair area along with chunks of asphalt . In this case , it is also nearly impossible to prevent water intrusion and that is a good indicator . Alligator areas should be repaired with a spray patch , or rubberized mastic material in these instances .
“ Cracksealer is best used on early stage cracks . Early stage is identified as years 1-3 of the pavement life in most cases . Crack sealing should be done each year . The early years are most effective to prevent additional cracking or deterioration to the base below the asphalt which will result in more cracks and potholes .”
Not all cracks can be filled . Crack sealer has its limitations . As effective as crack sealing is , it isn ’ t suitable for every type of pavement distress .
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