Crack Sealing

CRACK SEALING
in VA, DC, MD An important part of an ongoing pavement maintenance program.

Pavement cracking is an inevitable phenomenon that occurs in asphalt surfaces. It is impossible to construct a pavement that does not develop cracks after a certain amount of service time. Cracking occurs in a variety of forms: transverse, longitudinal, block, and alligator shape. Cracks need to be treated promptly because they create openings for moisture to penetrate the pavement layers. Moisture or water can cause severe damage when trapped in the crack. Neglecting pavement cracking usually leads to accelerated deterioration of the pavement, resulting in significant problems such as potholes or base failures, which cause the serviceability of the pavement to decline.

Cracking, a major form of pavement deterioration and normally the deciding factor in determining the appropriate maintenance method to be utilized.

When cracks develop on the surface of the pavement, it is a sign of reduction in pavement integrity and serviceability. Tibbs Paving, Inc. believes that regular repair of pavement cracks is one of the main methods of preventive maintenance, since failure to repair cracks in a timely fashion can lead to accelerated deterioration of the pavement in the form of crack growth, spalls, secondary cracks, and potholes. The main causes of pavement cracks are thermal movements and fatigue due to excessive loading. Cracking is an inevitable problem given the network of more than two million miles of asphalt surfaced roads and parking lots in the United States. It is important to find effective solutions to minimize its effect and to extend the service life of our roads.

Tibbs Paving, Inc. provides crack sealing as part of an on-going recommended pavement maintenance program.

This program when combined with necessary patching and repairs is designed to extend the life of the paved surface while reducing costly and premature replacement.

Pavements with transverse and longitudinal cracks approximately ¼ inch or more are good candidates for crack sealing, but pavements with fatigue and alligator cracking, as displayed in Figure 1, should not be subjected to this maintenance technique. Fatigue and alligator cracking indicates pavement structure failure, and crack sealing will not extend the life cycle of this type of pavement condition.

Tibbs Paving, Inc considers the preparation of the surface to be a fundamental step in crack sealing process. Using the latest equipment called a ‘Crack Jenny’ Tibbs Paving, Inc. technicians thoroughly clean the crack using high pressure compressed air and heat. Debris is removed from the crack by blowing out the crack and then heated using a heat source rated at approximately 400 degrees F. This softens the crack surface allowing the sealant to adhere to the crack. Heated sealant is then applied following manufacturer’s recommendations, which overlaps the crack sealing it from water and moisture penetration. Once the process is completed parking areas and roads are usually returned to service within just an hour or two following the crack sealing process.