Crack Repair
Why does asphalt crack?
Cracks appearing on asphalt surfaces are an undesirable but normal occurrence. In most cases, temperature changes that cause the asphalt to expand and contract are to blame for minor cracking. Repair for this type of cracking is simple and effective. More serious cracks are generally caused by deficiencies in the base gravel or asphalt installation. Regardless of the cause, cracks on the surface allow water to flow through the pavement and erode the base which can lead to further complications. Addressing these cracks as soon as possible saves you time and money in the long run.
Repair Methods
Crack Filling
Asphalt Patching
Asphalt Patching
Minor cracking is easily repair by cleaning out the crack and filling it with a rubber product that will expand and contract without detaching itself from the asphalt surface. It is a cost effective way to deal with cracks cause by regular wear and tear.
Asphalt Patching
Asphalt Patching
Asphalt Patching
Majors cracks, or alligator cracks, may require more attention than simply being filled. These cracks could represent deficiencies in the base layer or the asphalt layer itself and will likely return if not corrected properly. These sections can be cut out and replaced or patched using a more cost effective infrared method depending on the type of crack.
Example
Mowing your driveway?
Grass is supposed to grow on the lawn, not the driveway. Cleaning out vegetation will reveal cracks and holes in your pavement that require repair or they will further deteriorate and allow vegetation to grow back, which is not ideal.
Filling the cracks
Once the cracks has been thoroughly cleaned, they can be filled. Depending on the size of the crack many options are available for filling it. In this case it was patched with asphalt using our infrared asphalt repair heater. Smaller cracks can be filled with liquid or rubberized crack filler.
Seal-coating
Once the crack repairs are finished the pavement can be seal-coated giving it a brand new look. This step is an optional one but it has benefits other than aesthetics. Seal-coating helps protect your pavement and will improve longevity of repairs as well as prevent other areas from presenting deficiencies in the near future.