Asphalt Paving and Sealcoat  Blog

More Asphalt Cracking

Reflective cracking
Reflective cracking, or cracks that show through overlayed areas, are caused by overlaying existing pavement without properly repairing the cracks in the original pavement. As the moisture and other substances seep into the base and subgrade of the pavement, the original cracks will eventually show through or reflect into the overlayed area if not properly repaired.

Crack Sealing Deficiency
Crack Sealing Deficiency occurs when the sealant or fill used to repair cracks is no longer effective or sufficient.
This deficiency can develop due to improper installation of sealant or fill as well as more serious underlying base
or subgrade issues. This deficiency is usually noticeable due to water or moisture coming to the pavement
surface or vegetation growing through the sealant or fill, both due to insufficient fill of the cracks' depth. Crack
Sealing Deficiency can also develop if application temperatures are inadequate or if insufficient amounts of Black Beauty are applied to the cracks after application. Both of these will cause the cracks to lift up into tires when driven on.

In this picture, insufficient clean out of the cracks prior to sealant or fill application has led to the vegetation
growing through the sealant or fill 

Remedy
Before cracks become so prevalent that cutting and patching is necessary, cracks between ¼" and 1" wide can be
filled or sealed with poly-fiber reinforced crackfill. First, these cracks are cleaned with blown air or grazing wheel
to remove debris, grass, old failed crackfill and other substances from the crack. Then, the reinforced crackfill or
sealant is applied at temperatures in excess of 375 degrees. After the crackfill has been applied to the cracks, then Black
Beauty is added to ensure proper adhesion to the pavement surface and prevention of failure due to surface
temperatures and/or traffic.

NOTE: In the event of especially hot surface temperatures, crackfill has a tendency to become rubbery when driven or
stepped on. As long as the material does not lift away from the pavement, this is a normal occurrence and should not be investigated further. If the material lifts, this could be Cracksealing Deficiency and should be investigated.