Crack Filling

Areas of closely spaced, interconnecting cracks most often occur where simple linear cracks have been neglected and not properly sealed. Water then penetrates to the base soil, which yields under the weight of passing traffic, causing more cracking. Winter freeze-thaw cycles widen the cracks, allowing in more water, and the damage progresses at an accelerating pace. Eventually the pavement breaks through completely and potholes form.

Do you have some doubts about the condition of your pavement surfaces? Here is a simple rating scale based on common asphalt problems. Try it, and see how your parking areas score.

Graying and Raveling
Progressive fading of a black asphalt surface to shades of gray is evidence of oxidation caused by solar ultraviolet radiation. As this damage progresses, the binder shrinks and pulls away from the aggregate. Eventually the aggregate begins to protrude from the surface and separate from the pavement. This condition is termed "raveling."

Last Sealcoated When?
Sealcoat is sun-block for your pavement. Applications at three-year intervals will virtually stop solar damage to the binder material. For that reason, sealcoating is a very cost-effective preventative maintenance measure for greatly extending the useful life of pavement. Sealcoat is a latex-based coal tar pitch emulsion fortified with latex rubber additives and sand. It resists damage from solar radiation, petroleum spills, and water penetration.

Simple Cracks
In time, most parking areas will show some simple cracks. These may be caused by aging and shrinkage of the binder, or by some movement or migration of the pavement. Cracks of this type are not a serious problem if they are corrected in a timely fashion. The cracks should first be cleaned with pressurized air, and then sealed using hot-applied rubberized joint sealant. This will prevent further damage from water penetration and winter freeze-thaw cycles.

Spider-Web Cracks and Potholes
Areas of closely spaced, interconnecting cracks most often occur where simple linear cracks have been neglected and not properly sealed. Water then penetrates to the base soil, which yields under the weight of passing traffic Eventually the pavement breaks through completely and potholes form.

Spider-web cracks can also be a symptom of insufficient pavement thickness, inadequate base preparation, or poor drainage. For that reason, it is important to involve a knowledgeable pavement specialist in evaluating the problem when spider-web cracking is first noted.

Where the damage is caught early enough, repairs can be made with cut and patch paving methods. The defective area is cut square beyond the damage, ripped out, regraded, and repaved with basecoat binder and bituminous asphalt topcoat. Edges of the patched pavement are emulsified to bond the new asphalt to the old.

If extensive cut and patch work is needed to reclaim the parking lot, then complete repaving followed by implementation of a preventative maintenance program will prove to be the most cost effective solution.

Ask for Free Pavement Analysis
Obtaining the best return for your pavement maintenance dollar is not a simple decision process. A knowledgeable pavement contractor can evaluate the condition of your parking areas, design a cost-effective maintenance program, and estimate reliable dollar information for your budget process.

Step One
Pressure Clean
SealWorks thoroughly cleans all cracks with pressurized air removing all debris.

This allows the rubberized joint sealant to adhere properly to the underlying pavement.

Step Two
Hot-Seal
Once clean, the cracks are sealed using a hot-applied rubberized joint sealant that exceeds federal highway specifications.

Proper crack sealing will ensure water will not infiltrate your sub-base, thus preventing future pavement breakdowns.

Accountability and Creditability is SealWorks.  A Licensed Company and Fully Insured for your protection.  SealWorks is a BBB Accredited Business providing a consumers assurance that we are committed to stand behind our work.

Just ask, we can provide it giving you peace of mind.

See for yourself the difference SealWorks can make by calling
(248) 461-2344 today.