Asphalt pavements are easy to not only install, but also to maintain. However, consistent attacks from water and changing environmental temperatures can cause cracks to develop on their surfaces. And when this happens, making sure that they are sealed as soon as possible is important. This is because these cracks make a pavement vulnerable to water infiltration, something that usually worsens the cracking. The following are tips that will come in handy in helping you create better crack seals.

Cleaning the crack

There are two things that you have to get rid off before you apply a crack seal: dirt and water. Simply sweeping the area with a broom is sometimes enough when it comes to removing larger pieces of debris. However, to effectively get rid of all the dirt and dust particles available in the crack, using compressed air is recommended. Using a heat lance to clean the crack is also recommended since it can allow you to get rid of the loose particles while at the same time drying the crack. It is also possible to prepare the crack by using a steel wire brush.

Ensuring that the crack area is both dirt free and moisture free is important as it allows for the formation of better sealant–asphalt bonds. As a result, it usually increases the longevity of the crack-sealing work, something that usually reduces the need for premature repairs.

Applying the sealant

The type of tool that you use to apply the sealant usually goes a long way in determining the quality of the resulting crack seal. This is so mainly because both the sealant and the pavement are sensitive to heat. Therefore, if you are using equipment that burns the sealant, the quality of the resulting patchwork will be poor. Poor crack seals will also result if the sealant is applied at a temperature that is lower than the recommended one. These are problems are common in instances where one uses tar pots to apply a sealant.

To avoid the complications that arise due to poor temperature control, the use of melters with digital temperature controls is advisable. Melters with heated delivery hoses or whose hoses are under high pressure usually make it easier to apply a hot pour sealant since they are not only clog-resistant, but also easier to direct – mainly because of having a flexible delivery hose. All these advantages usually combine to not only ensure a better crack seals, but also reduce the risks of injury. Contact a company like Copperstate Hose for more info.