Cracks in your asphalt’s surface can leave your driveway or parking lot exposed to water. When it settles below in the base layers, it allows for a faster deterioration of your driveway or parking lot. One of the more common methods for treating cracks in your asphalt is to use a specialized sealant, formulated specifically to keep water out but allow the material to expand and contract according to the temperature outside. Crack sealant not only fills in the cracks in your asphalt, it also seals them so that water can no longer seep below the surface.
What is Asphalt Crack Sealer?
Crack sealer is a combination of several different ingredients but primarily consists of rubber and asphalt. This clever combination allows the crack to be filled with a flexible water resistant sealant that can expand and contract with the fluctuating temperatures. Crack sealer also seals the affected area to prevent future issues with water penetration. This is especially important in climates with high temperature fluctuations like Buffalo and the surrounding areas. As water begins to seep below the surface and settle, it can eventually freeze during the colder months causing further damage to your driveway or parking lot.
How Does Asphalt Crack Sealer Work?
Crack sealer is best applied during the spring season when outside temperatures are between 45 and 65 degrees. Once the sealer is heated to a very hot temperature of between 380 to 410 degrees fahrenheit, it is then poured into the open crack, filling the gap around ¾ of the way to the top. The sealant is then allowed to cool to form a tight seal to the sublayers. This cooling process allows the material to cure and shrink by as much as 15 percent before another pour is done directly over the now cooled layer, filling and sealing the crack entirely. As the material dries it forms a flexible patch that binds and seals the surrounding area all year long.
Baughman Magic Seal: Asphalt Crack Sealing
Cracks may not be entirely preventable, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have them filled as part of your routine asphalt maintenance. Untreated cracks can lead to more extensive and expensive damage to your asphalt surfaces. If the winter weather has left you with unsightly cracks scattered across your driveway or parking lot, let Baughman Magic Seal come take a look and give you a no obligation estimate to professionally fix and fill your cracks by calling (716) 836 – 8880.