APE April 2024 | Page 17

FEATURE and ultimately extending the pavement life . Although the expected life extension is typically reported to be between two to five years , the benefit obtained depends on several variables such as traffic , climate , and the condition of the pavement at the time of treatment . After crack sealing is applied there is time that is needed for it to cure and cool down . “ Quality crack sealant from a quality manufacturer is ‘ prereacted ’ and doesn ’ t actually ‘ cure ’ after applied to the pavement , but rather it simply needs to cool and solidify ,” said Bryan Darling , western regional sales manager , with Crafco . “ After crack sealant has been applied to the pavement , the sealant must be protected from traffic until it has cooled sufficiently to be opened to traffic without tracking or picking by vehicle tires .
The best time to perform crack sealing depends on various factors , including weather conditions , pavement condition , and traffic volume .
Under normal conditions , a properly selected sealant will generally be cooled within 30 minutes to allow traffic to access the payment . This time can be decreased by the application of an approved detackifying agent to the surface of the sealant . Factors taken into condition , when selecting a sealant for a region , include pavement type , climate , traffic type , and desired performance .” When is the best time to perform crack sealing ? The best time to perform crack sealing depends on various factors , including weather conditions , pavement condition , and traffic volume . “ Crack sealing is typically performed during warmer weather when temperatures are consistently above freezing ,” Brasher said . “ This ensures proper adhesion and curing of the sealant . Avoid performing crack sealing during rainy or humid conditions . The cracks should be dry before applying the sealant to ensure adhesion and prevent moisture entrapment . It is also best to perform crack sealing when the cracks are still relatively small and haven ’ t developed into
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[ 17 ] April 2024