Is Your Asphalt Parking Lot Cracking? Learn About 3 Different Ways To Repair It
Even though one of the benefits of using asphalt for your parking lot is that it will withstand different weather conditions, the materials will not last forever. Cracks will eventually show up in the pavement, which will cause the surface to continue eroding and eventually require replacement.
Thankfully, repairing cracks immediately after you notice them will slow down this process and help your asphalt last a long time. There is not a single solution to repairing asphalt cracks, since different materials can provide different performance to the asphalt. Here are 3 ways you can fix asphalt cracking.
1. The Overband Method
A very common technique for repairing cracks in asphalt is the overband method. It will involve filling a crack with a rubberized material so that it overflows onto the surrounding asphalt surface. The rubberized material that spilled over will form a band that will prevent the crack from opening again, which would cause it to spread even wider.
The technique works great on very narrow and wide cracks, and can give the crack some much needed stability to help it last for several years before the patch begins to break down.
2. The Flush Fill Method
A technique that many business owners attempt to do themselves is the flush fill method. What makes it so simple is that it can be done with common products that you can buy at a home improvement store, making it incredibly accessible to do on your own.
The technique works by using a rubberized asphalt material to only fill the crack, and then leveling off the surface so that the patching material is flush with all of the surrounding asphalt. It is a technique that is acceptable to use in areas that do not see much traffic, and will last for a shorter amount of time than the overband method.
3. The Standard Band-Aid Method
A short-term repair technique that is best for areas that see moderate traffic is the band-aid method. It works best on cracks that are between 2.5-5.0 mm in size, and the repair will last between 1-3 years. It will involve applying a strip of asphalt filler that extends several inches past the crack, acting like a band-aid like the name implies.
While these techniques will work great for simple patches, you may need professional help if you have serious damage to your asphalt that needs to be repaired. Work with an asphalt repair company like Central Paving & Sealcoating Inc to determine the best method that will work for your parking lot.