If you require asphalt repair, it’s essential to know the right way to do it. Many people mistake using the wrong technology to fix their asphalt, leading to many problems down the road.
At Doctor Asphalt LLC, we offer reliable infrared asphalt repair services that will get the job done right.
We’ll look at some of the most common mistakes made with infrared repairs and show you the ropes.
Mistake# 1: The Compacting Conundrum
Top on our list of things you shouldn’t be doing with infrared asphalt repair is leaving your repair area to cool down too quickly. A decent compacting job involves a tight bond between the old and new asphalt. This is especially important if you’re repairing a heavily used area.
A quick cool-down can prevent this bond from forming, resulting in a weak repair that will not hold up over time. To prevent this, reheat the targeted area for 1 to 2 minutes with the infrared heat gun, then compact.
Mistake# 2: The Edge Enigma
Another fundamental aspect of compacting an infrared asphalt repair is getting a lovely, tight bond along the edges. This step is necessary, as raveling occurs more easily along repair edges.
To avoid this issue, ensure that you begin compacting at the repair’s edge, then work your way in. This will help to prevent any weak spots or voids along the perimeter.
Mistake# 3: The Lute Loss
You can’t achieve good compaction without an excellent lute job. While luting, ensure that you remove all the larger stones and aggregate off the top of the repair area. You’ll guarantee a tighter bond and a flatter, more level repair by doing this.
Lutes are also critical to prolonging the life of your repair. Suppose your luting skills are not up to snuff. In that case, your restoration can suffer water penetration and premature failure, as there will be a more significant void beneath the surface.
Mistake# 4: Level the Lute
A term called “over-luting” causes a large aggregate roll-up on the surface. It’s essential to ensure your lute is level and not too thick. When the aggregate begins to roll up, it creates a texture on the surface that can be very difficult to remove.
Using the right tools and techniques, your lute man can minimize heat loss, ticking time, and the need to pull a stone from the surface. When adding fresh asphalt to your infrared repair, choose the top mix or sheet mix for a finer aggregate. These will make the bonding process more straightforward and create an aesthetically pleasing surface.
Mistake# 5: The Scarifying Scam
The minimum depth required for a proper scarifying job should be 1.5 inches. Anything shallower than that, and you’re just asking for problems. The main thing to remember with scarifying is to go deep enough. That’s the whole point of the process – removing the old, damaged asphalt so that new asphalt can be laid down in its place.
Start with scarifying 3/4 of one side of the area, then move on to the other side. This method will help ensure an even depth of scarification.
Conclusion
Learn something new from this blog post? Doctor Asphalt LLC is in Madison, WI, to help with your asphalt repair needs! Take action and schedule a free quote today!
