Luke Surma
Luke is a Project Engineer at Yellowstone Pavement Solutions. He brings both field and educational experience to the team and works to share his industry knowledge in all things asphalt maintenance.
- January 15, 2019
- 1:55 pm
Cracks in an asphalt driveway are not just cosmetic blunders, they are also signs of a failing asphalt structure. The best thing that you can do as the owner of an asphalt driveway is to fix your cracks as soon as they appear. Follow the steps below to see how Yellowstone Pavement Solutions goes about addressing the issue of asphalt cracks.
Step 1: Locate all Cracks Over 1/4″ in Width
Cracks may also have to be categorized to determine if they are a static or working cracks. Working cracks should be routed and filled. Routing a working crack will give a greater rubber reservoir and therefore more movement of the crack is possible without splitting the rubber.
Step 2: Thoroughly Clean Cracks with Grazor
Once all cracks are located and the crack type is detmermined, YPS takes the extra step of grazing the cracks. This wheeled brush thoroughly cleans out all debris and organics from the existing asphalt cracks. This extra measure will ensure that the hot rubberized asphalt material fully bonds to the sides of the crack.
Common issues that arise from uncleaned cracks are pull-ups and bubbling. Pull-ups (or pull-outs) are an indication of dirt still remaining on the walls of the cracks. This issue is easily addressed by a blowing the crack out with compressed air following the grazor. Bubbling is usually an indication of water remaining in the cracks or organics that were not removed. Again, this issue is avoided by proper cleaning.
Step 3: Fill Cracks with Rubberized Asphalt Material
Cracks are filled with a rubberized asphalt material at approximately 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Cracks are filled with either and oil jacketed melter, or a direct fire melter. Once material is heated to the proper application temperature, the cracks are filled from the bottom up.
We usually band our cracks roughly 1″ on either side of the crack to create a water tight seal. The main effort in crack repair is to stop the intrusion of water, so we take every necesseary precaution to avoid this.
Step 4: Refill if Necessary. Ensure Proper Banding
Cracks can commonly extend down to the sub base of a pavement surface. This means that many cracks are 3-4 inches deep and require additional material. By reviewing all of our repairs after they have set, YPS is able to guarantee a professional fix.
More to explorer
Why Patching is Essential for Maintaining Safe and Smooth Roads in Montana
Asphalt roads are an essential part of Montana’s transportation infrastructure. They provide crucial connections for businesses, residents, and visitors, allowing them to
“The Top 5 Most Common Pavement Issues and How to Prevent Them”
Yellowstone Pavement Solutions has seen a wide range of pavement issues in our years of service. While some issues are unavoidable due
“DIY vs. Professional Pavement Maintenance: Which is Right for You?”
As a property owner, you want to keep your pavement in good condition. After all, it’s not only a safety issue but
