What is Crack Fill?
Asphalt is a flexible pavement, that will move with the subtle movements of our soils. Often with Wisconsin winters, the movements can be more than subtle. As asphalt moves, it can crack in areas of great strain. It is imperative to preserve the life of your asphalt by the Crack Fill process:
- Clean all vegetation and sediment from cracks ¼-inch or wider with crack cleaning tools
- Fill cracks with a hot, polymeric joint sealer
- Sealcoat the remaining asphalt pavement for smooth, uniform appearance
Why is Crack Fill recommended?
Crack Fill is the most beneficial process to extend the life of your asphalt pavement. When cracks are left unmaintained, water begins to seep under the asphalt pavement. As the water penetrates the gravel or limestone below, it saturates the base and surrounding soils causing a loss of strength to support the asphalt material. As our seasons change, the water underneath the asphalt can go through freezing and thawing cycles that heave, displace and move pavements.
What is Seal Coating?
Sealcoat is a deep, dark black emulsion that provides protection and enhances the appearance of your asphalt. Proper application of sealcoat material is done by the following process:
- Clean all vegetation, sediment and oil spills from the pavement
- Fill cracks with a hot, polymeric joint sealer
- Apply sealcoat material, cutting in edges by hand for a consistent quality appearance without over-spraying
- Barricading pavement from traffic for at least 24-hours
Why is Sealcoating beneficial?
Sealcoat is a highly functioning emulsion that protects asphalt pavements from:
- Oxidation
- UV Rays
- Water
- Oil Spills
- Gasoline Leaks
- Road Salt
- Vehicle Damage
Cicchini Asphalt proudly does not use coal-tar-based seal coat materials.