APE September 2020 | Page 20

EXPERT ADVICE In the northern climate, there is plenty of damage done due to freeze thaw cycles and from snow plows. It is not uncommon to see chunks of asphalt showing up in the Spring after the snow and ice have melted. The plows will sometimes chew up blacktop and push pieces onto the grass or wherever. “With warmer temperatures as winter ends, we have more water flow which exacerbates the damage from the season,” stated Krystal Strassman, marketing manager / project estimator with DRS Paving, Fitchburg, Wis. “Water takes the path of least resistance, dislodging pebbles along the way. It's important to repair the damage before more damage is caused. Using the portable asphalt repair machine to heat up the existing asphalt and add more HMA, creates a durable, affordable patch. The heat allows for a thermal bond between the old and new asphalt. Spraying the newly heated asphalt with rejuvenator enhances the longevity of the repair by deferring aging and bonding the asphalt.” Strassman continued and suggested: “Using an asphalt mixture with smaller rocks and more sand will help with making a more ascetically pleasing patch. But remember, patches are only meant to last a couple of years. It’s a nice option to buy folks time before the need to replace a substantial area. Heater patches, are meant to be quick, affordable and temporary.” Infrared repair can be used on an asphalt project to extend the life of the pavement. It is important to fill any cracks in asphalt to prevent water penetration. This can be done economically with crack filling, but if the cracks are closely spaced, such as every six-inches or less, it is more economical to complete a full infrared repair to cover the cracked areas. “Infrared can extend the life of a pavement surface for years until sufficient budget is available to replace the entire surface,” stated Bob Kieswetter, P.Eng and president, Heat Design Equipment Inc., Kitchener, Ontario, Canada. “A good example of this in remote airports where there are no available asphalt plants, and it is critical to keep the surface sound until sufficient money is available to import an asphalt plant in order to do the entire runway. “This was done in Kuujjuaq, in the Province of Quebec, Canada, where the asphalt surface was becoming sufficiently cracked that it was not going to meet Transport Canada standards for takeoff and landings. There was a budget of millions to re-do the runway but that money was only available five years in the future. Kuujjuaq purchased their own infrared heaters to repair horizontal and longitudinal cracking which were becoming critical for acceptance. A premium cold mix was imported as supplementary material to make the ACCELERATE YOUR SEALER’S PERFORMANCE WITH OUR TRIPLE ACTION ADDITIVE FASTER DRYING IMPROVED DURABILITY EXCELLENT NIGHT TIME PERFORMANCE www.StarSeal.com 800-759-1912 Our additives will perform to the standards you have come to expect and trust from STAR ® branded products! Download the sealcoating contractors resource app TO ORDER STAR Max-Dri visit starseal.com/max-dri For More Information On This Advertiser Please Visit www.CallAPE.com/e-inquiry www.callape.com [20] 1.800.210.5923