What Causes Cracks in Asphalt Parking Lots?
Overloading, which can refer to either the number of vehicles or the weight of the vehicles, is one potential source of asphalt cracks. The age of the pavement is another potential cause. However, most cracks are caused by the pavement’s exposure to the sun or petroleum-based vehicle fluids that have been spilled or leaked onto the pavement. The UV rays emitted by the sun remove moisture from the asphalt, resulting in a brittle pavement that is more susceptible to cracking. Vehicle fluids break down the binder in the asphalt mix, softening the pavement and leaving depressions that contain little more than crumbs.
What Is Crack Sealing?
Asphalt crack sealing is a repair technique in which a crack is cleaned and prepared before a crack sealant is placed over the crack. Your asphalt contractor may also insert some of the sealant inside the void. There are two categories of crack sealants that are widely used to repair cracks in asphalt parking lots.
1. Cold-applied crack sealants can repair cracks that are more than half an inch in width. They are typically reserved for parking lots that do not receive a high volume of traffic and that do not allow heavyweight vehicles.
2. Hot-applied crack sealants can be used for many different types of cracks that are less than three-fourths of an inch in width.
Why Is Crack Sealing Vital for Asphalt Parking Lots?
Cracks allow water to infiltrate beneath the surface of the pavement, and gravity will pull the water deeper and deeper into the structure. Once the water reaches the base layers, it can pluck material from them, resulting in a weakened foundation that can become too unstable to bear the weight of the pavement and its loads. This can lead to alligator cracking, pavement subsidence, and potholes. Furthermore, if the water freezes, the expanding ice will inflict additional damage on the foundation as well as the pavement. Cracks will usually grow deeper, longer, and wider until they are repaired, increasing the volume of water that penetrates the structure of the pavement. In a relatively short time, so much damage can be inflicted that your only cost-effective option can be the complete reconstruction of your parking lot.
Are Asphalt Crack Sealing and Crack Filling the Same?
Both terms refer to asphalt crack repair procedures, but there are some technical differences. Your asphalt contractor may use different materials for crack filling than for sealing, and the application methods may vary. However, because there are similarities, many contractors use the terms interchangeably.
Can Global Asphalt Solutions Repair the Cracks in My Parking Lot?
We have many years of industry experience, and we have established an extraordinary reputation for quality, integrity, and service. We offer a wide range of services and products, including Asphalt Paving, Safe Seal Sealcoating, Parking Lot Striping, Asphalt Milling, Snow Removal, Asphalt Patching, ADA compliance, Crack Repairs, and Infrared Asphalt Repair. We offer free quotes, so submit our online request form today at GlobalAsphalt.com. If you prefer, you can call us at 231-715-7899 or 800-ASPHALT. Contractors call ahead to purchase bulk Safe Seal sealcoat, Derry crack sealants, and other asphalt supplies.
