 |
Protects the base/sub base. A good pavement needs a sound base and sub base. Effective crack sealing keeps water from entering and weakening these areas. This weakness can result in loss of structural support, which in turn can result in additional cracking or faulting and eventually forms a pothole.
|
|
Preserves the pavement adjacent to the cracks. Cracks that are properly cleaned and sealed contain material that firmly adheres to the sides year-round, during times of expansion and contraction. Without this material the adjacent pavement would have increased exposure to the elements, resulting in increased oxidation of the binder, hardening and secondary cracking along the main crack.
|
|
Eliminates the damaging effects of incompressibles like sand, stone, and dirt. When sand, stone, and dirt get into the crack they can restrict crack closure during warm weather. Also, they can cause compressive stresses at the crack faces that result in spalling and loosening of the asphalt concrete. In some highly oxidized pavements these stresses can even cause pavement lipping, which is the upheaval of pavement at transverse cracks.
4. Extends pavement life and cost-effectiveness. By sealing cracks, the contractor or agency exert some control over base and sub base conditions, pavement interference, and crack growth, thereby extending the pavement’s life.
|
Two forms of treating cracks
|
Crack filling which is the placement of materials into cracks to reduce water intrusion and reinforce the adjacent pavement. |
|
Crack sealing is the placement of specialized materials either above or into working cracks to prevent the intrusion of water and incompressibles such as sand, stone, and dirt. |
Here at the Asphalt Doctor we provide crack sealing, which is a better form of treating cracks.
|
