Asphalt Crack Sealing FAQ

Southern California Asphalt Crack Sealing Guide

 

By definition crack sealing is a method in which cracks in paved asphalt are cleaned, dried via heat lance, and then filled with a flexible pre melted rubberized material. This sealant greatly reduces most water from entering the pavements sub-base where it can cause serious damage to its integrity.

This process is just one part of an intelligent pavement maintenance program, however it’s one of the most important. Keeping your asphalts cracks sealed is a major factor in maintaining and expanding your pavements lifespan.

 

Crack_Seal_Orange_County

 

 

 

Top Questions Asked about Sealing Cracks in Asphalt:

 

How much does crack sealing cost?

The rough price for sealing cracks in the Southern California area is approximately .60 - 1.00 per linear foot.

 

What affects the price of crack sealing?

Factors that can add to the cost of sealing include the overall condition of the pavement. The proximity of your cracks, the amount of preparation work required to apply the sealer, and the width and depth of cracks.

 

How much sealing can you do in a day?

Most days our crews can install between 10,000 and 20,000 linear feet of hot rubberized sealer.

 

How are weeds in cracks dealt with?

Ideally 7-10 days before applying crack seal we come in to apply weed killer to the areas that are affected.

 

Are there additional cost to remove weeds and grass?

10 % of the total linear footage of a project includes weed removal as well. After that there is an additional charge to treat weeds.

 

Can crack seal be done on the same day as seal coating?

The longer amount of time you can give between sealing your cracks and applying sealcoat the better. At a minimum we like to see at least 72 Hours between these applications. Crack sealing can be done on the same day, however it will not do as well as the crack sealer that was given the proper amount of time to dry.

 

Will the crack sealer material track into my buildings?

The answer is yes. Freshly poured crack seal can be tracked into buildings, cars, sidewalks etc. The best way to avoid this is to have crack sealer applied on days when traffic is reduced as much as possible. If this is not possible another solution is to apply sand over freshly poured crack sealer material to greatly reduce the chances of it tracking.

 

How soon can I drive on a freshly sealed crack in a parking lot?

It is recommended to give crack seal material as much time as possible to dry. There are some techniques that can be employed to allow this to happen faster.

 

What is the optimal temperatures to apply crack seal?

The optimal temperatures to apply crack seal are between 70 and 80 Degrees.

 

What are the primary benefits of sealing cracks?

The primary benefit of sealing cracks is the reduction of cost in future asphalt repairs, as well as increasing the longevity of your existing parking lot or paved surface.

 

How is crack seal applied?

Crack sealer material is pre-melted in a large pot called a kettle, and then pumped to a wand with a banding pot at the end. The liquid material fills the small receptacle and creates a 1- 2 inch band over the crack as it is pulled.

 

Do cracks get completely sealed after a single application of crack sealer?

Most cracks are completely sealed after a single application of crack sealer, however some may require a second application of sealer should product settling occur.

 

Are cracks of all sizes able to be sealed?

No, not all cracks, but most cracks (1")  and under can be sealed. Cracks under 0.1" can also be ignored, as regular sealcoating material will typically fill these small cracks in.

 

How do I repair cracks over (1") in width?

Cracks over (1") in width should be repaired using hot mix material instead of crack sealing materials.

 

Will cracks that are sealed need to be sealed again?

Yes cracks that get sealed will likely need to be sealed again. With time, traffic, and weather cracks in your pavement slowly start to pull apart causing them to open again. Sealing should be considered a part of your routine pavement maintenance plan.

 

What is crack routing?

Crack routing is the act of machine routing cracks to a uniform width and depth before sealant is poured into the cracks. Routing machines cut a 3/4” x 3/4” channel into the crack of the pavement. It is cleaned then sealed. These cuts allow a more uniform application of sealer however they are not always recommended.

 

Can all cracks be sealed?

No, not all cracks can be sealed on an asphalt parking lot. When pavement starts to become alligatored, sealing the cracks is no longer a useful repair method. This type of damage is beyond the ability to repair.

 

When should paved parking lots be crack sealed?

As soon as cracks are noticed and larger than 0.1" in width they should be sealed. As far as time of the year goes, cracks should be sealed before the rainy weather hits. The idea is to keep water from penetrating into your sub grade layer of your asphalt.

 

What if cracks have moisture in them?

Cracks generally do store moisture and for that reason we use a heat lance to dry those cracks ahead of application to allow proper adhesion of the rubberized materials.

 

Crack_Sealing_Before_and_After

 

Conclusion about Rubberized Sealers:

When it comes to asphalt maintenance, we at Empire Parking Lot Services receive many questions about crack sealing from our customers in the Southern California area. So this is just the beginning of our FAQ / Blog. Over time it will grow with the new questions that you our readers ask. So please be sure to send us any new questions that you may have regarding asphalt crack repair services.

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