Asphalt Cracks Filling Guide: Before-Sealing Preparations

Seeing cracks on your asphalt pavement can leave you with a sinking feeling. However, it’s important to note that cracks are common in asphalt pavements. Extreme weather conditions or natural calamities mostly cause them. Besides, homeowners must understand that asphalt is a porous material, making it susceptible to cracking, regardless of how well the pavement was installed. 

Most cracks on asphalt pavement start as tiny cracks, which develop into larger cracks, which are more costly to repair. Leaving these cracks unfilled can make your pavement look unsightly, weaken its structural integrity, and make your pavement more vulnerable to water damage. This can eventually lead to the formation of potholes, which can ultimately require you to replace the entire pavement. This shows the importance of crack filling. 

Generally, crack filling is the best method to repair cracks on pavements. This process does away with the cracks on your driveway, thus preventing further damage by restoring your pavement to its original, new condition. Besides, crack filling is one of the best ways to extend the lifespan of your pavement.

But, you must note that the process isn’t as easy as it sounds. With that said, let’s look at how you can prepare your asphalt pavement for crack filling. 

Measure the size of the cracks

To know how much crack filling material you need, you must first measure the size of your cracks. Also, you must check whether the cracks encroach upon the pavement’s surface or not. Use a measuring tape to determine both the length and width of your cracks.

Clean up

After measuring the size of your cracks, it’s time you start preparing for the actual task at hand: cleaning up! This is an essential step in asphalt crack filling. If you fail to clear away debris such as leaves and twigs from within and around cracks, they will only slow down the drying process once we apply filler materials into them. That’s why we recommend that you use a broom and leaf blower to clear away any debris from the cracks.

Drill holes

Drilling holes can help you quickly assess how deep your asphalt is starting to wear out. The process is simple: use an electric drill or masonry bit about ½ inch in diameter and bore through the surface of your pavement until it hits the sub-layer beneath it. If there’s no resistance, it means that your pavement is still relatively new. But if you hit something hard after just half an inch, then that means that the top layer is beginning to wear out and has become weak enough for water damage. This might be a good time for crack filling because this will prevent your driveway from becoming more damaged than it already is.

Add a primer-sealer

The sealcoating experts from ABС Paving, sealcoating contractor from Florida say that it’s recommended that you use a primer-sealer to create an initial seal before applying any crack filling material on your asphalt. Primer sealers effectively protect the pavement from water damage, which might worsen cracks if they’re not properly sealed first. 

Primer sealers also work as an adhesive, making it easier for the filler materials to bond with the pavement. They create uniform surfaces that improve the final appearance by giving uniform coloration on the surface of your driveway. Primer sealers can be purchased online or at local hardware stores and home improvement centers.

For best results, choose white primer-sealers because they reflect heat better than dark colors. This is useful in the summer months, as it slows down the melting of your asphalt’s top layer. Also, you should know that not all primer-sealers are compatible with every type of crack filling material; make sure to read package labels before purchasing.

Add crack filling materials

There are several types of filler materials that asphalt repair professional’s use: 

• Sealcoats – a sealer works by adding a thin protective layer on top of your pavement and filling any cracks or gaps between stones to give it an overall smooth appearance. They also protect the asphalt from wear and tear from winter weather conditions such as snow and ice. This strong substance prevents water damage caused by the freeze-thaw cycle.
• Self-leveling compounds – this material tends to shrink once exposed to heat, so make sure to apply it when the weather is cool. They can be used for smaller jobs like filling in small cracks and patching potholes. It’s important that you don’t allow these materials to spill on concrete or stone surfaces because they will prevent these building materials from adhering properly if applied over them.
• Asphalt crack filler – this kind of material does not work very well with other products, primarily because they are made specifically for filling up asphalt cracks only. However, mixing them in small amounts with self-leveling compounds can lessen their shrinking effect once exposed to heat.

Sealcoats are the most commonly used type of material because they are water-resistant, available in a wide range of colors, and are easy to apply. However, you might want to consider using asphalt crack filler if your driveway is known for having severe cracking problems caused by flooding or heavy wear and tear. Fillers can also protect tree roots that tend to grow near cracks.

Let the pavement dry out

Once the layers have dried up, you will be able to tell if your driveway was properly sealed depending on how shiny it looks after you sweep away any excess materials. If your driveway starts looking brighter, then this means that the sealcoat was applied correctly; but if it starts looking dull, then you should know that it wasn’t applied enough.