A slow building and an almost unnoticeable process create asphalt cracks. They sneak up on you. You don’t look out your window one morning at your driveway or parking lot and say, “Oh my God! My asphalt has huge cracks in it!” Generally, asphalt cracks occur over time and slowly elongate and widen during weather changes such as freezing and thawing or intense periods of heat. A shifting foundation, heavy vehicles or even the roots of trees can also cause asphalt cracks. There is hope, though, and you can learn how to repair these unsightly monsters before they lead to even worse problems, since they are potential liability issues on your parking lots and driveways and should be a justifiable concern.

There are numerous supplies available that can be used to do asphalt crack sealing. Some fillers require special equipment for heating and should be applied by a professional. Some are ready to go out of the box or can and are suitable for DIYers. Choose what works best for you and your budget, but remember that the important component in asphalt crack sealant is rubberized asphalt emulsion.

DIY

There are a few tools you’ll need to begin the process. First of all a chisel and hammer will work well for chipping away any old sealer or other loose materials around the cracks. A broom or stiff brush is helpful as well for brushing away the materials and cleaning the area.

Once you have the prep work done, you’ll need to do one of two things. If it’s summer and the days are hot, you’ll need to wait until late fall or early winter. If it’s cold out, then go ahead and start fixing the cracks because this is when cracks are at their widest.

Take your asphalt crack sealing filler (most of them are similar to caulk dispensers) and “caulk” it into the crack. If the crack is wider than a half-inch, you’ll need to use some type of patching compound that you can pour into the crack. Usually, asphalt crack sealing filler is ready to go within 24-hours.

Time for a Professional
One of the most important things you can do to ensure a long life for your parking lot is to have the cracks repaired and sealed every two years. It’s a lot easier to maintain if you do this, and many times will prevent cracks from worsening or better yet, developing in the first place. The best thing about a well-maintained parking lot is that it adds curb appeal and value to your business.

The presence of the asphalt cracks does not necessarily mean that repaving or other major scopes are necessary. UBM has a proven technique of patching asphalt repairs your driveway or parking lot in a cost-effective way.

The Process:

Stage One. The broken, failed, or liability areas are identified as concerns that should be addressed.

Stage Two. The areas are cut square with a jack-hammer or sawcut (depending on the region or by request) and excavated to the aggregate subbase.

Stage Three. Asphalt is installed at an average compact depth of 3”.

Stage Four. Finally, edges are sealed with asphalt emulsion to improve bonding with the surrounding existing asphalt.

In situations with a large amount of patching in one parking lot or roadway, asphalt milling (or scarifying) options are also available, which uses specialized milling equipment to cut down on excavation time.

Contact UBM to learn more about our Asphalt Patching services