Asphalt Crack Sealing – Sydney
What Is Crack Sealing?
As it sounds, crack sealing is where we seal the cracks in asphalt and bitumen sealing.
Our Asphalt Contractors use specialised materials to bond the walls of the crack, whilst giving it the flexibility to move as the pavement expands and contracts, crack sealing prevents water and debris from getting in.
Why Do We Seal The Cracks?
Crack Sealing is done to prevent the water getting into the substructure of the pavement.
Once water gets into the sub base of the pavement it will cause it to soften and become unstable.
Unsealed cracks may either slowly widen or accelerate the propagation of crocodile cracks.
Unsealed cracks lead to various pavement issues, potholes and complete pavement failure.
The use of crack sealing on a pavement before asphalt resheeting or bituminous resealing slows and greatly reduces the possibility of reflective cracking on the new pavement layer.
This again extends the life of the pavement.
If carried out early enough crack sealing gives you more time before the need for more expensive maintenance and the eventual need for pavement reconstruction.
What Type Of Cracks Are Suitable For Sealing?
- Longitudinal Cracks/Joints.
- Transverse Cracks/Joints.
- Meandering Cracks.
- Diagonal Cracks.
- Crescent Shaped Cracks.
- Block Cracking When The Pavement Structure Is Still Firm.
- Minor Crocodile Cracking, Where There Is No Base Deformation And The Wearing Surface Is Not Loose.
Crack Preparation?
Cracks must always be dry.
Depending on; the type of crack, desired service life, serviceability and budget; crack preparation may involve any combination of the following;
- Weed poisoning.
- Raking or ripping
- Power routing.
- Blowing out with compressed air.
Excessively deep cracks may also be packed with backing rod prior to sealing.
Generally cracks need to be blown with compressed air to clean the crack of loose material, which may prevent bonding of the sealant.
What Type Of Materials Are Suitable For Crack Sealing?
For the best performance and cost effectiveness, a hot applied rubber modified bitumen sealant will always yield the best results.
Summary
All Pavement Management Systems should include a suitable crack sealing program.
Implementing a crack sealing program allows greater utilisation of your pavement maintenance budget.
Crack Sealing Works Effectively As Both Preventive & Routine Maintenance.
With an effective crack sealing regime you will be able to prevent water from deteriorating your pavement sub-bases and prevent the need for expensive unnecessary patching and reconstruction.
Crack Sealing of residential streets usually first requires cleaning cracks with compressed air.