After many years, your asphalt pavement will begin to develop cracks. And the most common cause of asphalt cracking is thermal cycling. This occurs when the pavement is exposed to alternating hot and cold temperatures. When the pavement expands due to heat, small cracks form. And when the temperature drops, the pavement contracts, and cracks grow. Over time, these cycles the cracks to enlarge and eventually turn into potholes.
If you see cracks on your driveway or parking lot, then it’s time to have it repaired. But considering the surface has to be prepped before repairing, how to correctly prepare cracks for asphalt repair?
Read more as we’re going to share more information about this subject in today’s post.
Tools Needed
When preparing the cracks for asphalt repair, specialized tools will be needed to get the job done right. To be specific, a trowel or putty knife is needed to smooth out the filler and a broom or brush to clean up any excess. Aside from that, a vacuum cleaner may also be needed to clean up any debris.
Things To Be Done To Properly Prepare The Cracked Surface Before Repair
Here are some of the recommended preparation procedures you need to do to correctly prepare the cracked surface before repair:
1. Killing And Removal Of Vegetation
Removing and killing vegetation before the repair process is important in order to ensure a proper fix. If any plant matter is left in or around the crack, it can quickly grow and fill the space back in, negating the effects of the asphalt patch.
Additionally, any roots that are left in the ground can extend further into the crack and cause additional damage. To remove vegetation, use a combination of a wire brush and/or power washer. For particularly stubborn plants, you may need to use a chemical herbicide. Be sure to follow the instructions on the label carefully and take precautions to avoid harming any nearby plants that you don’t want to kill. Or better yet, have a professional contractor do this for you.
After the area is clear, allow it to dry completely before beginning the repair process.
Killing and removal of vegetation are necessary especially if the area to be repaired is unattended for months.
2. Getting Rid Of Dirt And Debris
When repairing asphalt cracks, it is important to remove all debris and dirt from the crack before sealing. This will help ensure a proper seal and prevent water and debris from entering the crack.
There are several ways to remove debris and dirt from asphalt cracks. One common method is to use a wire brush. Another is to use a power washer.
Once the crack is clean, it is important to make sure that it is dry before sealing. If the crack is wet, the sealant will not adhere properly and will not be as effective.
3. Measuring Cracks
Before repairing cracks in asphalt, they have to be measured so that the proper amount of material can be used. This helps to ensure a proper repair and prevents any waste. Measuring cracks is a simple process that can be done with a few simple tools.
A straightedge is used to measure the length and width of the crack, while a tape measure can be used to measure the depth of the crack. Of course, it is important to clean out the crack before measuring it so that an accurate measurement can be taken.
4. Making Sure The Area To Be Repaired Is Completely Dry
Another one of the most important things to remember when repairing asphalt cracks is to make sure they are completely dry before beginning. This is because if the crack is wet, the adhesive or sealant used will not adhere properly and the repair will not be effective.
There are a few ways to dry out a crack, but the most common is to use a blower or a heat gun. You will want to hold the blower or heat gun about 6-12 inches away from the crack and move it back and forth until the crack is completely dry. Once the crack is dry, you can then proceed with filling it.
Best Repair Methods For Cracked Asphalt
There are many methods of repairing cracked surfaces on asphalt, but the most common are asphalt crack sealants, hot asphalt patching, and cold asphalt patching.
On the other hand, asphalt crack sealants are a liquid that is applied to cracks to fill and seal them. This is the most common method of repairing cracks, as it is quick and easy to do.
Then, hot asphalt patching is a more permanent solution to cracks, as it involves applying a hot asphalt mix to the affected area and then compacting it. This method is more time-consuming and expensive than using an asphalt crack sealant, but it will last longer.
Lastly, cold asphalt patching is similar to hot asphalt patching, but the asphalt mix is applied at a lower temperature. This method is also more time consuming and expensive, but it can be used in colder climates where hot asphalt patching is not possible.
Final Word
If you have asphalt pavement that is in need of repair, it is important to take the time to find an expert contractor like Highway Masters Paving as they’ll be able to do the job correctly. Many people try to repair cracks on their own, but this often leads to disappointing results. If you are not experienced in this type of work, it is best to leave it to the professionals.