Crack repairs are extremely critical if you want to avoid damage to your asphalt pavement that could be expensive to remedy, injure people, or result in the need to reconstruct your pavement prematurely. If you have never seen a professional perform an asphalt crack repair, you might think that it is a one-step procedure. However, like many maintenance tasks, a successful crack repair requires meticulous preparation.
What Are the Initial Steps That Professionals Take to Prepare a Pavement for an Asphalt Crack Repair?
Typically, parking lot repair contractors start by cleaning the pavement around the crack that is to be repaired. They will remove any trash, leaves, gravel, or dirt from the pavement. If there is vegetation growing inside the crack, they will remove it. The crack is then cleaned to remove any debris that is within the void. There are several methods that parking lot maintenance contractors can use to clean a break in asphalt paving. If they choose a method that requires introducing water into the crack, or if the crack is already damp from moisture penetration, they must dry the crack before proceeding.
After Cleaning, What Do Professionals Do Next to Prepare?
The next step is to prepare the crack so that the walls of the crack can establish a strong bond with the repair material. This usually involves using a router to smooth the walls, make both sides of the crack uniform, and create a reservoir for the crack filler or crack sealant. Occasionally, it may be necessary for the contractor to saw out a little of the asphalt paving to create a uniform, smooth void. After the crack is shaped and smoothed, an air hose is typically used to remove any particles that may remain within the void. When repairing cracks in asphalt paving Atlanta contractors know that they need to work quickly, especially on extremely humid days, so that moisture will not have an opportunity to collect inside the crack. Therefore, they will typically place the sealant or filler immediately.
Should I Sealcoat Over a Crack Repair?
Parking lot sealcoating is a valuable procedure that can extend the life of your pavement. Your contractor can apply sealcoating over all types of asphalt repairs, including crack repairs, and it is a good idea to do so. However, do not expect the sealcoating to make a crack repair invisible.
How Often Should I Have a Contractor Repair My Asphalt Paving?
There are too many variables to offer a universal schedule, but one fact is certain: Asphalt repairs should be made as soon as the damage occurs, and this includes crack repairs. Regardless of whether a pavement break is the result of neglect, overloading, or abuse, water that enters through the break can shorten the life of an asphalt pavement dramatically. If you want to give your pavement the proper protection, you should inspect it at least every six months so that you can have any needed repairs made immediately.
Is There an Asphalt Paving Atlanta Company That Can Help Me?
The Surface Masters is an experienced paving company with a stellar reputation for workmanship, integrity, customer service, and dependability. We offer an extensive range of services, including asphalt crack repair, parking lot sealcoating, asphalt paving and resurfacing, parking lot striping, asphalt repairs, concrete repairs, and concrete installation. We offer free quotes, so request yours today by completing our online form. If you prefer, you can also call our Marietta office at 770-250-6392.
