Keep Cracks In Your Asphalt Parking Lot Filled And Sealed To Prevent Escalating Damage
Posted on: 30 November 2021
Cracks in your asphalt parking lot may just seem like an ugly nuisance, but they are also dangerous. Cracks accelerate aging and pose other problems as well. Here's a look at why cracks develop, why you should repair them, and how asphalt paving contractors go about filling in cracks.
Why Parking Lots Develop Cracks
Asphalt naturally breaks down due to sun exposure and vehicle traffic. However, asphalt can also crack due to tree roots, soil movement under the lot, and poor drainage. You can expect your parking lot to develop cracks, so have a plan for filling the cracks to keep the damage on your lot to a minimum. You may want an asphalt paving contractor to check your lot annually to find cracks and repair them.
Why Cracks Should Be Filled Promptly
The problem with cracks in asphalt is that they get worse. They can grow into big cracks or potholes. When the cracks are big enough, rain seeps down to the base underneath and gradually washes away soil, which causes shifting that creates more cracks. Repairing cracks promptly may cost a lot less than waiting until the damage has spread to make repairs.
Part of the reason that cracks get worse is due to freezing. If rain fills a crack and then freezes overnight, the pressure from the ice can cause the crack to widen or get deeper. It's good to have cracks filled in before winter arrives, but filling cracks any time of the year is helpful in prolonging the life of the asphalt.
How A Paving Contractor Fills Cracks
Asphalt cracks can be filled in by hand using a caulk gun, but that isn't practical when filling cracks in a large parking lot. Instead, the contractor may use crack-filling machinery and equipment. Some of these clean cracks while others melt the sealer and apply it. Filling cracks starts by cleaning out weeds, sand, and other debris so the filler can adhere well inside the crack. Then, sealer is applied, compacted, and leveled.
Crack sealing might be followed by a sealcoat. Your parking lot may need a new sealcoat every year or two, and it's important to seal cracks first, so the two jobs are often done together. A sealcoat protects the asphalt so it doesn't deteriorate as quickly from weather exposure. This slows down the development of cracks so your asphalt parking lot stays in better shape for longer. By keeping the cracks sealed, you might postpone the need for a new parking lot for several years. To learn more, contact an asphalt paving contractor.
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