Concentrated

Cracks


Questions & Answers

     In Northeast Ohio we experience extreme freeze and thaw cycles. The expansion and contraction that occurs due to freeze and thaw can be one of the most damaging of all factors for an asphalt driveway.  By using a hot applied crack sealer we are using the best product possible to keep as much water and debris out of the cracks as possible.  Because of this expansion and contraction it is recommended that crack sealer be applied more than one year in a row until it has settled to meet the degree of expansion and contraction.
     Driveways that have inclines will usually notice there may be one or more naturally occurring stress joints.  This is were the stress of the landscape pulls apart the asphalt and creates a structural crack. The best thing to do is keep it filled with crack sealer so as not to create more extensive cracking.
      All cracksealing will be done using a hot applied rubberized sealant product unless otherwise stated .  All structural cracks that are ¼ inch and larger will be sealed.  Surface cracks are not considered structural and will be filled in by the sealcoating process, as well as the smaller cracks.  Settling in cracks is normal and does not effect the integrity of the seal.  All cracks that are deeper than ½ inch will be filled and brought to within ½ inch of the surface in order to install the proper amount of sealant.

     Cracksealing is not a replacement for having a new surface installed and the cracks will still be visible after sealcoating. This in no way affects the water tight seal by the sealant.  Vitale Asphalt Maintenance gives no warranty written or implied on the cracksealing unless otherwise stated. 

Crack Filler Product Information
Hot Pour Crackfiller is a blend of oils, resins, polymers, plasticizers and asphalt cement that's designed to seal and fill cracks in asphalt and concrete pavement.  Hot Pour Crackfiller is formulated for filling cracks in concrete, brick, bituminous and wood block pavements. Material is traffic stable when allowed to cool to ambient temperature. 

                           Surface
There are two major types of cracks surface and structural cracks. Surface cracks just sit on the surface of the asphalt, to put crack sealer on these cracks would just create a mess and will do nothing for the maintenance of the driveway.  
                  Concentrated Cracks
Areas that have many concentrated cracks are called alligatored areas.  We do not fill all these cracks because to do so would create an area where you have a mass of crack sealer and when applied in a mass it tends to hold water under the surface.  The crack sealer than has the propensity to come up on tires, shoes, etc.  It traps in the moisture.  These areas can be sealed and if serve enough they can be repaired with hot asphalt.
                      Structural Cracks
Structural cracks  are the type of cracks that should be filled.  The usually rule is a ¼” and larger that go into the surface ¾” or more you should be able to stick a pencil in it at least a half an inch or more.


Q:  Why did the crack sealer not seem to stay in the cracks, why did it open up?

A:  In Northeast Ohio we experience extreme freeze and thaw cycles. The expansion and contraction that occurs due to freeze and thaw can be one of the most damaging of all factors for an asphalt driveway.  By using a hot applied crack sealer we are using the best product possible to keep as much water and debris out of the cracks as possible.  Because of this expansion and contraction it is recommended that crack sealer be applied more than one year in a row until it has settled to meet the degree of expansion and contraction.
     Driveways that have inclines will usually notice there may be one or more naturally occurring stress joints.  This is were the stress of the landscape pulls apart the asphalt and creates a structural crack. The best thing to do is keep it filled with crack sealer so as not to create more extensive cracking.

Q:  Why did you not fill all the cracks?

A:  There are two major types of cracks surface and structural cracks. Surface cracks just sit on the surface of the asphalt, to put crack sealer on these cracks would just create a mess and will do nothing for the maintenance of the driveway.  Structural cracks (see evolution of a crack) are the type of cracks that should be filled.  The usually rule is a ¼” and larger that go into the surface ¾” or more.
     Areas that have many concentrated cracks are called alligatored areas (see below).  We do not fill all these cracks because to do so would create an area where you have a mass of crack sealer and when applied in a mass it tends to hold water under the surface.  The crack sealer than has the propensity to come up on tires, shoes, etc.  It traps in the moisture.  These areas can be sealed and if serve enough they can be repaired with hot asphalt.

Cracksealing 

Benefits of Hot Pour Crack Filler

Crack

Sizes

  1. Extends the pavement life cycle
  2. Reduces Overall Maintenance Costs
  3. Offers easy Application with no Pavement Modification Necessary
  4. Produces a Watertight Barrier in one Hour
  5. Maintains Bond and Elasticity Even in Severe Weather Conditions

   (440) 543-2844   16945 MUNN RD., CHAGRIN FALLS, OHIO  44023 

Sample of Structural Cracks & Fill

Types of Cracks 

Surface 

Crack