FEATURE
SEALCOATING & CRACK SEALING Two peas , but different pods By Jeff Winke
Asphalt pavement is wonderful .
It looks great with its midnight black sheen after being freshly placed . It is durable and can last a long time . Like everything in life , asphalt requires maintenance and care . And if it is less traveled on , it can maintain a youthful look . But the role of asphalt pavement is to support vehicular and foot traffic . That is its job ... to be driven and tread on .
Asphalt pavements , like everything , has a life cycle . A well-constructed asphalt pavement that experiences low levels of traffic can last 25 years or more . That life can be substantially extended — and provide a greater return on a pavement investment — if proper maintenance is performed on a regular , timely basis . Regular maintenance includes seal coating and crack sealing which are two different asphalt pavement treatments . They are not the same and should not be interchanged . Asphalt pavement treatments are designed to protect and restore the beautiful pavement to its lustrous blacktop appearance . Sealcoating is primarily a preventative measure , meaning it is applied when the asphalt surface is new . Its goal is to make the surface look nice and to prevent damage from occurring , and is therefore not the best solution for surfaces that are already
damaged . For newer surfaces , or surfaces that have recently been renovated , seal coating may be the key to a high-quality , longer-lasting surface . Crack sealing is the go-to solution for quick , no-frills asphalt repairs . For aging surfaces that have a low to moderate amount of cracks , crack sealing may be the best solution . For newer surfaces , or surfaces that are highly damaged , there are other , better repair solutions “ Sealcoating and crack filler may share some physical components and , in some cases , may look similar to the human eye , but they are entirely different products ,” stated Woodrow Adams , operations manager , STAR Inc ., Columbus , Ohio . “ Sealcoating was designed to cover asphalt surfaces to add a layer of protection from water , de-icing salts , traffic damage , gasoline , and other petrochemicals . Generally speaking , sealer is meant to be diluted with water and can be sprayed or brush applied to asphalt surfaces . Crack sealer is designed to withstand any expansion or contraction of a crack due to temperature fluctuation . Crack Sealants will remain flexible at both hot and cold temperatures . There are numerous crack sealer formulations for both hot and cold applications , but results will be similar . To
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[ 33 ] August 2023