Cracks left unsealed in asphalt pavement allow water to
penetrate the surface. This, in turn, weakens the pavement structure and leads
to failures in both the pavement and the base beneath it.
Water is one of the worst things for asphalt cracks. Once water gets under the
asphalt surface, it can erode the foundation.
Left unfilled, the cracks will allow moisture to flow through the
pavement and erode base materials resulting in potholes, and ultimately in
premature failure. When this happens,
only extensive and costly repairs can fix the problem.
Although in Florida, it is rare to have freezing
temperatures for more than a few hours once or twice a year, in other parts of
the country cracks left over the winter can grow quickly due to snow plowing
and with freezing and thawing day after day.
However, with Florida's warm and sunny climate, oxidation and humidity
have a similar effect. Patching often
doesn't last and can cost several times what timely crack sealing costs. In the end, the
useful life of the surface is shortened, forcing the premature and costly
replacement of the surface.
Cracks can also accumulate debris, dirt, and can start to
grow weeds. Fixing cracks before they become potholes is the smartest thing to
do. It also saves you money by extending the life of your asphalt.
There are a number of things that can
contribute to the cracking of asphalt pavement. The most common include:
• Surface/Shrinkage Cracks are caused by lack of
traffic, extreme temperature changes, excess water and/or ultraviolet
degradation.
• Structural/Reflective Cracks are caused by vertical or horizontal movements of pavement beneath, due to expansion and contraction with temperature and moisture changes.
• Joint or seam cracks are caused by weak seam or improper pinch roll.
An
asphalt company in Florida can repair the cracks in your asphalt by doing the
following:
1) First the cracks must be cleaned. Using a steel brush, a screw driver or a
crack cleaning machine, the asphalt company can remove all the dirt and
vegetation. It's very important to be
sure to clean the crack at least 1/2" deep.
2) For small cracks that are less than a half
inch, there are products your asphalt company can use to fill the cracks. However, this type of solution should not be
used for large cracks, as it can sink into the wider cracks and not properly
fill the area.
3) For large cracks, the crack filler needs to
be melted into a liquid state and then applied.
Asphalt cracks are unsightly and can get expensive to repair
if left for too long. That's why it's best to repair cracks as soon as they
form. Crack sealing is the most cost effective way to stop this erosion of your
asphalt investment before it's too late. When properly applied crack sealing
materials will greatly extend the life of your asphalt pavement and prevent
untimely damage.
About ABC Paving and Sealcoating
With
more than 20 years of experience, ABC Paving and
Sealcoating is Florida's leading paving contractor. ABC Paving and Sealcoating provides
commercial organizations with the highest level of customer service,
professional workmanship and services including: asphalt paving, asphalt repairs and
prevention, pothole repairs, sealcoating, line striping and marking,
thermoplastic, crack filing, signs and safety devices, concrete sidewalks, concrete curbs and
site preparation. We use our
experience and the latest equipment available to get the job done right the
first time in a timely, cost effective manner.
For more information about ABC Paving and
Sealcoating, visit our website at http://www.pavingandsealcoating.com or call
866-934-7623 for a free estimate.
No comments:
Post a Comment