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“ Typically , anything over two inches , in my opinion , would require an asphalt paving material repair ,” stated Robb Archie , owner of U . S . Seal International Inc ., Reno , Nev . “ If it is too wide , then the contractor would need to saw cut approximately one foot on both sides of the crack , re-compact the base material , or add more and re-compact , and then add three inches of new asphalt and compact . The asphalt should be crowned upwards before compacting , so as to force the material tightly against the sidewalls of each side of the crack walls . That will keep the crack from sinking .”
Archie continued , “ If the crack runs through the middle of alligatored asphalt then repairing it is not an option . Instead , you will need to saw cut on all four sides of the alligatored asphalt , just beyond the alligatoring , re-compact the base , then add new asphalt as a patch repair .”
“ Cracks that are wider than two inches will need asphalt . Some crack-fill-material companies suggest three inches but that is a very big span for a flexible material to hold to both sidewalls and stay connected under contact vehicular traffic as well as the constant tension of two independent pieces of asphalt constantly pulling away from each other .”
Mark McLeod , president / CEO at Maintenance , Inc ., Wooster , Ohio offered perspective . “ How you judge if a crack can be sealed is dependent on how wide , two-inch maximum , and how deep . An area that is deep and wide will require a backer rod installed to reduce settling and material waste . Bituminous concrete ( asphalt ) is a floating mat that lays on top of base of crushed stone material and as it ages cracks will develop since asphalt has no expansion joints like concrete has . It has to crack ! Early treatment of the cracks will prevent moisture intrusion causing the under stone base to soften and rim cracking will occur . Early crack maintenance is imperative for extending the service life of the pavement .
“ Large cracks that are alligatored or spiderwebbed will require a gator patch application , which is a short term fix for these areas . Removing those areas and placing new asphalt becomes the remedy . Sealcoating those areas will also ensure no further moisture intrusion in that area .”
Early folk beliefs on cracks exist today in the transformed practice of current day asphalt pavement maintenance professionals that fill the cracks not so much to prevent the nether world escaping to wreak havoc , but to prevent elements penetrating the pavement and creating cracks and deterioration -- a different kind of havoc !
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