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