What Causes Asphalt Cracks?
You may take good care of the asphalt, but it’s bound to go bad. Asphalt is used to coat most roads and pavements. To question its resilience is a little foolish, as asphalt surfaces tolerate quite the pressure.
Further, it deals with climactic shenanigans. Including weather fluctuations, snow, and dry scorching heat.
To list the common factors that lead to cracking of the asphalt are:
Dry, Hot Summers
Did you know that asphalt is malleable? Malleability means the ability of a metal to reshape its structural integrity. But its malleable nature doesn’t favor its purpose when it comes to roads and pavements. Extreme heat causes cracks in the asphalt mat.
To resolve this, surface pressure needs to be monitored and controlled.
Chilly Winters
Any extreme weather condition causes asphalt to crack. Be it sun or snow. Snow makes asphalt mats brittle. Like cracks, hardening of the asphalt causes it to chip off. This will erode your pavement more than you expect.
To resolve, prevent heavy-loaded vehicles from sitting on your pavement for a long time.
Water and Underground Water
During monsoons, waterlogging becomes a common phenomenon. This standing water seeps into the asphalt coat, softening the alloy. Thus, paving the way for upcoming cracks.
While it may take a long time, asphalt repair costs are skyrocketing. So, it’s wiser to keep the pavement free of puddles. And, under regular maintenance.
Underground water is an even worse enemy. It can distort the asphalt base layer, causing cracks and potholes.
To avoid such a menace, ensure the well-functioning of the drainage system in the location.
UV Rays
If it can burn skin, it can burn roads, too. There is no sunscreen for asphalt surfaces. Allowing oxidation of the oil on the asphalt surface, taking away its adhesive qualities.
Use sealcoating to keep the asphalt pavement protected from UV rays. Regular maintenance is another way of keeping these problems away.
Heavy Loads
Heavy-duty trucks put quite the pressure on asphalt surfaces. When not moving, the roads bear unnecessary load. Thus, there is no doubt what causes the cracks in this case.
Moreover, during extreme summers and winters, such conditions must be completely avoided to keep the asphalt surface from disintegrating.
Other Conditions
Ill-managed installation, tree roots, traffic congestion, and oil leaks are some of the reasons why asphalt cracks are caused.
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Types of Cracks
There are multiple types of asphalt cracks:
Slippage Crack
Caused mainly by lack of glue, poor integration of layers and lack of asphalt alloy. Often, these cracks are caused because the asphalt didn’t stick to the bottom layers. As the basic procedure is at stake here, these cracks lead to complete asphalt replacement.
These look like crescent-shaped cracks.
Edge Crack / Longitudinal Crack
Longitudinal cracking on pavements and roads can be called edge cracking. Problems like bad drainage and drying of soil can give rise to edge cracks.
They mostly appear on the edges of pavements and roads. Thus, the name. The only difference between edge and longitudinal crack is that the latter can occur in the middle of the pavement while the former is restricted to edges.
To resolve, you will have to first mend the base layer. Once done, repave the area. This will solve the issue. If not, contact specialists.
Reflection Cracking
Reflection cracking is often seen in flexible pavements. It appears on top of previous cracks that were once repaired by asphalt crack filling. This problem is quite easy to fix if the cracks aren’t severe.
To resolve, use asphalt sealcoating.
Alligator Cracks
Looking like a honeycomb maze, alligator cracks are a nexus of interconnected asphalt cracks. This shows that there has been a glitch in the structural integrity of the road.
Crack-filling will not do the job. These types of cracks require intensive repairs.
Block Cracks
This circumstance arises due to the loss of elasticity in the asphalt binder from wear and tear. Large rectangular fissures appear across the asphalt surface.
This, too, requires intensive repairs. But not as urgent as the alligator cracks.
Transverse Cracks
Transverse cracks in asphalt pavement reflect the movement of the bottom asphalt layers. They are perpendicular cracks, unlike longitudinal cracking.
How to Repair Asphalt Cracks?
Before you get into the depths of the problem, there are a few steps. These few steps can be considered as prep to the original repairing procedure.
Preparation
- Thoroughly clean the surroundings. Wherever the crack is, ensure that the area in its proximity is squeaky clean.
- The purpose is to free the area of any major obstacles like gravel, weeds, etc.
- A compressed air gun (for example, a hot air gun) can be used to direct air into the said area to clean it of any remaining debris.
- Any kind of moisture needs to be dried out before you begin mending the asphalt surface.
- Check the weather before beginning the repair. Snow and rain are a no-go.
- Collect asphalt crack repair equipment like trailers, quick joint asphalt crack repair tape, caulking guns and more.
Small Cracks
- To repair an asphalt crack, you’ll need to get hold of a rubberized asphalt emulsion crack filler.
- After the filler is heated, it can be applied by a crack filling trailer.
- When poured, the new asphalt mingles with the existing asphalt in the surrounding area.
- This integrates both. This stops foreign particles, dust and water from entering the asphalt layers. Thus, maintaining its efficiency.
Moderate-larger cracks
- Here, the preparation is a step too long. You must use more meticulous cleaning methods, like using a pressure washer.
- You can also opt for routing. In this method, a crack is made larger before filled with asphalt.
- Now you’ll need hot asphalt crack repair filler to fill in the cracks.
- However, larger cracks like alligator cracks will not be sufficed by these repairs. They may require entire replacement or asphalt sealcoating.
Asphalt Repair Cost
The cost of this service varies with the size of the crack and the intensity of the problem. Whether you’re repairing a pavement or a driveway, that too contributes to the pricing. Asphalt repair cost changes per square foot.
However, it can be roughly priced somewhere between $250-$800.
Asphalt repair cost per square foot is somewhere around $2-$5.
Types of Crack Fillers
Different types of asphalt crack fillers are available in the market, such as:
Hot Pour Crack Fillers:
First, these fillers are heated. It is, then, applied to cracks in liquid form before naturally hardening to form a strong seal.
Cold Pour Crack Fillers:
Available and ready to use, cold-pour crack fillers eliminate the need for heating. They are best for smaller jobs. Or when the weather is just too cold to use hot asphalt crack fillers.
Conclusion
In this blog, we have attempted to impart all that we know about asphalt cracks and their repairs. From what causes these cracks to how to repair each, we’ve got it all covered for you.
We have also talked about crack fillers and the cost of these repairs. So, it’s easier for you to navigate through the asphalt crack repair procedure.
Stay updated! So, when the time comes, you don’t have to hop around cluelessly for answers.
