Asphalt Crack Repair

CHICAGO’S ASPHALT CRACK REPAIR SPECIALISTS

When it comes to asphalt it’s easy to let proper maintenance slip through the cracks, and before long your asphalt will be besieged by cracks. By then, repairs can be costly or, worse, you may have to replace all the asphalt.

Every owner/manager in the Chicagoland area, area needs an asphalt preventive maintenance plan that includes asphalt crack sealing.

Depending on the initial construction and climate conditions, a crack sealing and maintenance plan can help asphalt last 10 to 15 years before major replacement is necessary.

The cost associated with an asphalt crack sealing plan is a fraction of the replacement cost. Surface cracks are often the first visible signs of underlying problems. Small cracks expand to form larger problem areas that have an “alligatored” appearance. Once this type of deterioration occurs, it is usually necessary to dig out the bad asphalt and install new sub-base and asphalt. Look for long cracks to appear where the seams were during initial construction These are the weakest areas in the asphalt mat.

Cracks should be filled as soon as possible to avoid water infiltration and expansion. There are many types of crack sealants on the market, but Done-Rite recommends a hot, pourable, rubberized, crack-fill material that meets Department of Transportation, State of Illinois Specifications and A.S.H.T.A specifications. It will have better results penetrating the crack and will be less likely to fail because of its ability to expand and contract with the extreme weather conditions in Chicago, IL.

Done-Rite Inc. Offers Two Crack Preparation Methods:

CRACK SEALING OPTION A

Rout, Blow and Fill

Technicians rout existing asphalt cracks to a width and depth of 1/2 inch or more. Routing equipment will have the ability to cut a flat vertical face on each side of the crack wall. They then thoroughly clean out dirt, loose debris and foreign material with pressurized air. The next step is to fill the cracks with rubberized hot-pour crack sealant. Filled cracks will be relieved of excess sealant to form a band of asphalt crack sealant which extends approximately one inch on each side of the filled crack.

Advantages

1. Routing opens smaller cracks to provide a reservoir for the sealant.
2. It produces uniform edges on the crack wall for sealant adhesion.
3. It is the best way to address seam cracks and smaller cracks in new pavements less than six years old. Last 5 times longer than blow and go techniques.

Disadvantages

1. It is extremely labor intensive and therefore very expensive.
2. It difficult to follow meandering cracks with a routing machine and some portions of the cracks can be missed.

CRACK SEALING OPTION B

Blow and Fill

Technicians mechanically clean all cracks of dirt, loose debris and foreign material. (1/4 inch or wider). Then we thoroughly blow clean cracks and Fill the cracks with rubberized hot-pour crack sealant. Filled cracks will be relieved of excess sealant by striking off the top to form a band of asphalt crack sealant which extends approximately one inch on each side of the filled crack.

Advantages

1. Its fast and therefore cost-efficient.
2. It can be used to easily follow meandering cracks.
3. It is best on older asphalt pavement and /or that has been previously crack sealed.

Disadvantages

1. It does not widen small cracks to allow for greater sealant penetration.
2. It can have some adhesion problems.

Asphalt Crack Repair Summary:
Do Preventive Crack Maintenance

Asphalt cracks will always develop, especially when you consider the beating that asphalt takes during winters in Chicago, IL. This is normal aging process due to expansion and contraction of the pavement. Done-Rite recommends routing and crack sealing on new asphalt when needed. Crack sealing is the most important part of asphalt maintenance.

Asphalt crack sealing should be applied to transverse, longitudinal, and reflective cracks. Sealing these cracks will extend the pavement life significantly by keeping the water out, which will delay the inevitable… The extremely expensive job of totally repaving the parking lot.

If you have an asphalt parking lot, driveway, or other paved surface in the Chicago, IL area that requires asphalt crack sealing or any type of repair or refurbishing, contact the experts at Done-Rite Sealcoating. Done-Rite’s experienced team of craftsmen will happily perform a thorough review of your property’s needs and provide a free estimate, and they pride themselves on attentive customer service and a meticulous eye for detail.

Call Done-Rite Sealcoating of Chicago, IL at 630-830-5310 or fill out this contact form for more information about their services or to schedule an appointment.