Views: 209 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2021-08-11 Origin: Site
Crack sealing is the lowest-cost-with-highest-benefit pavement preservation treatment. But just because it's economical doesn't mean it can be left to chance. Use below these 5 tips to maximize your efforts.
1. Determine your target(s) and objectives. As effective as crack sealing is, it isn't suitable for every type of pavement distress. Survey your target area(s) in advance. Assess types of cracking, widths of cracks (crack seal works best in cracks 1.5″ width or less), and topography issues, as well as vehicle loads/traffic. Decide areas where you'll apply crack sealant and what you’ll need to get it done. Is there vegetation to remove with a hot air lance? Are safety cones/signage required to protect workers from traffic? What types of tooling is appropriate? How much sealant will you use? Make sure to bring everything you need to the site at the start so you can get the job done efficiently.
2. Make sure all cracks are clean and dry. To ensure maximum adhesion and longevity, start with clean, dry cracks. Water is the enemy of pavement and crack sealant. If it’s rained recently — or precipitating now — schedule work for another day. If it’s dry enough, clean cracks thoroughly to remove rocks, weeds, and dirt that will affect work. Cleaning can be done with a wire broom, compressed air. You’ll also want to use a heat gun to make sure pavement is the right application temperature: 40°F and rising. If you notice excessive bubbling as you lay down sealant, that’s a sign of moisture and debris. Stop immediately and re-clean cracks before applying more material.
3. Use the correct sealant and maintain it properly. Sealant properties change by climate, ASTM type, viscosity, and more. As you select sealant, make sure it falls within approved spec, and that the sealant lot# is on hand in case there's any issue. First, look at heating type. Indirect-fired and direct-fired sealants are not interchangeable. You must select them by your melter type. Next, if you swap sealant between jobs, remember to empty the tank completely before adding a different sealant, as mixing two sealants can change chemistry drastically. Finally, make sure to heat to manufacturer instructions and agitate sealant properly. Overheated or overworked material can break down, reducing pot life and causing adhesion issues. Under heated material won't flow down to the depth of the crack. Avoid throwing in many blocks at one time, as this can reduce the temperature of the heated material in your tank and delay work. Add new material in the same amount that you’re laying it down to keep proper flow and application temperature. Too many blocks can also jam agitation paddles in certain melters.
4. Take care of your equipment. Having a good-quality melter will make your work better, easier, and safer. JIEHE can provide 100L, 200L, 300L ..crack filler sealer and asphalt router. If you need more details, you can contact with us.