Ever had that sinking feeling when you see a crack in the pavement? You’re not alone. Cracks are a common occurrence in asphalt pavement. Cracks are usually caused by natural settling or extreme temperature changes. When these cracks form on the pavement, they not only make it look ugly but also weaken the integrity of your pavement and make it more susceptible to water damage.
Crack filling is an asphalt repair process that is necessary for the pavement over time. If the crack filling isn’t done, the cracks will get deeper and longer until they require more costly repairs such as repaving. However, you may need to prepare the surface before applying crack filler to repair the cracks.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss five ways to prepare your pavement for crack filling to ensure the crack repair project goes smoothly!
1. Remove All Debris
Before anything else, make sure to remove all dirt, dust, and debris from the crack. Check for loose gravel, too; it can get mixed into fillers, so make sure you clean that as well. Use appropriate tools for cleaning purposes so that you avoid further damage.
2. Remove Any Puddles
Next, check for puddles that might be trapped in the crack. Those can contain water or other liquids, which would potentially make fillers ineffective when drying up. If you’re not sure about what’s in there, use an appropriate tool for removal for the best results.
3. Inspect the Crack
Now that your crack is clear of any loose gravel or other substances on top of it (or inside), make sure to inspect the crack closely. This will help you determine if the crack is a crack or just an indent in the pavement.
4.Grind the Cracked Surface
If you find that the crack is deep and wide, it can be helpful to grind down the surface of the crack before applying crack fillers. You must prepare the pavement well before pouring any crack filler on it. Otherwise, cracks will re-open because of poor application with no foundation base underneath. Also, the ground must be even so that your crack filler can adhere to the crack and be adequately sealed.
5. Inspect All Potential Contact Points with Utilities
Lastly, it is crucial to identify all the potential contact points with utilities. These will include telephone poles, gas lines, oil and wastewater pipelines, electric generators or transformers, etc.
If you are uncertain about the location of a utility line before crack filling begins, then it’s best to get in touch with a company that provides these services so that they can perform their due diligence in identifying the exact location of all utilities in the crack filling zone.
Are you looking for a professional crack filling company in Madison, WI? Doctor Asphalt LLC has got you covered! We can fill in that pesky crack with our premier services and make sure it doesn’t come back – for good! From driveway cracks to potholes, we do it all at affordable rates, so you don’t have to worry about paying more than what’s fair.
Get a free quote today, and let us take care of your asphalt needs.
