Proper attention to cracks will prevent the problems from spreading and double the life of the pavement. Treating the problem while it is still small will pay big dividends later by delaying costly resurfacing.
 

Benefits of Cracksealing

Cracksealing is often used as a first defense against pavement deterioration because it offers several important benefits.

Protects the Base/Subbase

A good pavement needs a sound base and subbase. Effective cracksealing keeps water from entering and weakening these areas. This weakness can result in loss of structural support, which in turn can result in additional cracking or faulting (vertical differential settlement at the cracks).

Preserves the Pavement Adjacent to the Cracks

Cracks that are properly cleaned and sealed contain material that firmly adheres to the sides year-round, during times of expansion and contraction.Without this material the adjacent pavement would have increased exposure to the elements, resulting in increased oxidation of the binder, hardening, and secondary cracking along the main crack.

Eliminates the Damaging Effects of Incompressibles Like Sand, Stone, and Dirt

When sand, stone, and dirt get into the crack, they can restrict crack closure during warm weather. Also, they can cause compressive stresses at the crack faces that result in spalling and loosening of the asphalt concrete. In some highly oxidized pavements these stresses can even cause pavement lipping, which is the upheaval of pavement at transverse cracks.
 

Extends Pavement Life and Cost-Effectiveness

By sealing cracks, the contractor or agency exerts some control over base and subbase conditions, pavement interference, and crack growth, thereby extending the pavement's life.
 

Preparation and Application

Crack preparation always involves cleaning the crack, but can also require widening the crack. Singular cracks that are ¼ inch and wider (not in alligatored areas) are thoroughly cleaned of all foreign matter with an industrial air compressor. We then seal the crack using the state-of-the-art oil-jacketed, cracksealing system with a rubberized hot-pour material. An even better method which allows more material to enter the crack is routing and sealing. Routing is the process of using a machine with carbide bits usually, to widen the cracks to about 3/4" by 3/4" so that more rubber crack sealer enters the crack. This thicker quantity of rubber stretches and compresses better during Montana's freeze thaw cycles. The material is then injected into the reservoir and flush filled, thus sealing the crack and making it impossible for water to penetrate the base beneath the asphalt.

Routing is strongly suggested in truck areas, but not in cracks that have already been sealed. Configuration choice depends on factors such as crack type, pavement downtime, and budget. Widening is done with either a router or saw.

Regularly scheduled maintenance can be used to aid in keeping parking lots in better condition for longer times. Effective cracksealing provides documented and quantifiable life extensions in pavements due to restriction of surface water penetration into base and subbase layers.