Crack Sealing

 

Crack Sealing: The First Line of Defense for Pavement Longevity

When it comes to preserving and extending the life of asphalt pavements, crack sealing is one of the most cost-effective and crucial maintenance strategies available. Whether you’re managing roads, highways, parking lots, or airport runways, ignoring small cracks today could mean facing costly repairs tomorrow.

What is Crack Sealing?

Crack sealing involves applying a specialized sealant into cracks in pavement to prevent water, debris, and other foreign substances from entering and causing further damage. It’s typically used on working cracks — those that show signs of movement greater than 3 mm (about 1/8 inch) — which tend to expand and contract with temperature changes.

Why Do Pavement Cracks Matter?

Cracks are inevitable as pavement ages. They result from:

• Weather fluctuations (freeze-thaw cycles)

• Traffic load stress,

• UV radiation,

• Poor initial construction or drainage issues.

If left untreated, cracks allow water to infiltrate the pavement base. This accelerates deterioration, leading to potholes, alligator cracking, and eventual structural failure.

Benefits of Crack Sealing

1. Extends Pavement Life

Proper crack sealing can add 3 to 5 years or more to the life of asphalt pavement by keeping water and other damaging elements out.

2. Cost-Effective Maintenance

Crack sealing costs significantly less than resurfacing or full-depth repairs, making it a smart investment in preventive maintenance.

3. Reduces Pavement Deterioration

It slows the formation of potholes and large cracks, preserving the structural integrity of the pavement.

4. Improves Safety

Sealed cracks reduce tripping hazards and improve driving conditions.

Types of Cracks Suitable for Sealing

Transverse Cracks – run perpendicular to the pavement’s centerline and are caused by temperature fluctuations.

Longitudinal Cracks – run parallel to the pavement’s centerline and usually result from pavement shrinkage or poor joint construction.

Block Cracks – interconnected cracks forming rectangular patterns, often caused by shrinkage.

(Severe cracks like alligator cracking typically require more intensive repair or overlay.)

Crack Sealing Process

1. Crack Cleaning

The cracks are first cleaned using pressurized air or mechanical routers to remove dust, debris, and vegetation.

2. Sealant Application

A hot-applied or cold-applied rubberized sealant is poured or injected into the cleaned cracks. For better performance, a reservoir may be cut before application.

3. Finishing Touches

Sometimes a blotting material like sand or paper is used to prevent tracking and ensure quick opening to traffic.

Best Practices

Time It Right: Ideal crack sealing is done in dry conditions, typically in spring or fall, when cracks are neither fully open nor closed.

Choose the Right Sealant: Different environments require different sealants. Hot-pour sealants are more flexible and durable, making them ideal for high-traffic areas.

Follow a Maintenance Schedule: Crack sealing every few years is more effective than waiting for major damage to appear.

Conclusion

Crack sealing may seem like a minor step in pavement maintenance, but its impact is significant. By addressing cracks early, you prevent larger failures, save money, and extend the life of your infrastructure. In the world of pavement preservation, crack sealing isn’t just an option—it’s a necessity.

Tip for Property Managers & Municipalities:

Schedule routine pavement inspections and include crack sealing in your annual maintenance budget. It’s the small repairs today that prevent the big headaches tomorrow.