Cracks don’t usually look like much at first. You’ll see it start small, perhaps a thin line here, a little spider web pattern there, or just a few small spots most people would walk right past without a second thought. Give it a little time, and water will seep in. Salt too. Then winter hits and it’s freeze, thaw, freeze, thaw. It won’t take long before the pavement starts breaking apart from the inside.
A lot of people ask us what our crack sealing process actually entails. On a recent job we did in Osceola, we brought a camera along so you can see how we do it. Watching the crew work tells the story better than words, and how it all ties together to protect the pavement.
In addition to the video above, we’ve also put together a step-by-step breakdown of our crack sealing service:
Step 1: Assess the Lot
The first thing we do is walk the lot to see what we’re dealing with. We’re checking the cracks, where they are, how wide they’ve gotten, and how the pavement is holding up around them. Some can be sealed right away, others need to be routed first.
Step 2: Block Off the Work Area
Once we know our path, we block it off with cones so cars don’t cut through while we’re working. That way the crew can keep moving, and the fresh sealant can set without interference.
Step 3: Clean the Cracks
Every crack gets blown out with high-pressure air. Loose rock, dirt, weeds, it all has to come out so the sealant can stick directly to the asphalt. If there’s moisture in the cracks, we dry it out with heat until bone-dry. The seal won’t last unless the cracks are clean and dry.
Step 4: Route the Wider Cracks
If a crack is wide or has rough edges, we run a router over it. That cuts it into a smooth line so the sealant has more surface to grab onto. Not every crack needs it, but for the ones that do, it makes the seal hold longer.
Step 5: Heat the Sealant
The sealant comes in solid rubberized blocks. We load them into a melter and heat until it’s a liquid, usually in the 350-400°F range.
Step 6: Fill the Cracks
With the material ready, we apply the hot sealant crack by crack, using a wand or hose. We leave it slightly overfilled since it shrinks as it cools.
Step 7: Smooth the Surface
A squeegee is drawn across the top to leave a thin band that seals the edges. On hot days, we dust fresh lines with fine sand so tires don’t track the material.
Step 8: Cool and Reopen
The sealant cools pretty fast. Once it’s set, cones come up and the lot is open for business again, with cracks that are sealed and pavement that is ready to handle traffic again.
Crack Sealing in Action: Stopping Small Problems Early
Our Osceola client brought us in with winter on the horizon and cracks beginning to spread across their lot. Those lines would have continued to let in water, frozen, and broken the pavement apart from the inside if left alone. Sealing them now closed off that damage before it started and gave the pavement many more years of life.
Every project is a good reminder of what crack sealing really does: it protects the base underneath and saves property owners from the much bigger cost of full replacement. Thanks again to our Osceola client for bringing us in, we’re glad to help keep their lot in shape for the long haul!
Is your lot starting to show signs of wear? Get it sealed and keep the foundation strong with Asphalt Maintenance & Paving. Contact us and we’ll be sure to get you on the schedule.
