Any property owner or manager knows how quickly pavement can break down in Los Angeles. With the sun out almost every day of the year, plus heavy vehicle traffic and the odd flash flood, it’s no wonder why small cracks start to appear in your asphalt. But beware! Those innocent looking cracks can quickly turn into something far more costly for you to fix.
Behold, asphalt crack filling and sealing! This is the easiest, most durable and cost effective method of preventative maintenance. It also protects revenue and elevates property value for LA property owners.
This is how you can keep the pavement on your street looking top-notch.
Of course, most people in LA believe that cracks in pavement are simply a result of earthquakes. Not true! In fact, our stresses our pavement:
Heavy UVs will dry out and make the asphalt binders brittle.
Surface pressure is amplified by cars, trucks and delivery vehicle traffic.
Infrequent rainstorms allow water to trickle into the smallest cracks, eroding the underlying base layer.
When moisture penetrates to the underlying sub-base, the asphalt becomes displaced and breaks down resulting in uneven surfaces or potholes. That’s why filling those asphalt cracks early is so essential to the life of your pavement.
While they're both water-resistant, each has a unique purpose:
This is used for small cracks up to half an inch wide. When you do crack filling, you basically plug up the crack with a specialized material to ensure that water cannot pass through.
Crack sealing is good for cracks that are up to an inch and a half wide, and only ⅛ of an inch deep. Crack sealing also works well with cracks that widen and narrow with temperature swings. The resultant seal is a flexible, waterproof interlocking rubberized asphalt pan system that adjusts to temperature extremes.
For the city of Los Angeles, crack sealing is more or less THE method of choice for commercial pavement.
These are applied at temperatures above the melting point. When cooled, they become a strong resilient rubber. This method is ideal for:
Shopping centers
Apartment and condo complexes
Business parking lots
Industrial facilities
The hot-pour options are as durable as they come and take vehicular traffic in stride, which is an important factor for L.A.’s busier properties.
These can be placed without any heating machinery. That makes them ideal for:
Residential driveways
Small parking areas
Light-traffic surfaces
When it comes to cost, cold-applied products are one of the best for small cracks.
Keep an eye on those cracks. Ignoring them only turns them into even bigger cracks and then you’re looking at replacing all of your asphalt. What else can crack filling and sealing do?
Extends asphalt lifespan significantly
Saves money by avoiding costly repairs such as resurfacing or reconstruction
Enhances the look of your pavement and increases curb appeal
Reduces risk of liability and injury from uneven surfaces
It increases your property value and lets prospective buyers know that the building has been well maintained!
The best time to perform crack sealing is just before the rainy season. Because of the warm climate in LA, contractors are able to perform this type of work throughout the year. Since you can pretty much fix your asphalt cracks all year long, fix those cracks early. When cracks become wider or begin branching, fixing them gets more complicated and expensive.
It’s time to consult an asphalt contractor if you start to see:
“Alligator” cracking
Noticeable gaps
Rough, crumbling edges
Areas that collect water
LA businesses see a lot more traffic than homeowners or apartment complexes. Between delivery trucks, customer traffic and service vehicles, the asphalt at business sites deteriorates more quickly. Regular crack sealing helps:
Maintain a clean, professional-looking property
Minimize downtime due to extensive repairs
Provide a safer atmosphere to customers and the residents themselves
Reduce long-term operating expenses
For businesses across the Los Angeles area, crack sealing is your first defense when it comes to maintaining and preserving your pavement.
They may be small now, but those cracks have the potential of causing widespread pavement deterioration when not dealt with in a timely manner. Asphalt crack filling and sealing in Los Angeles is one of the most important maintenance you can do for your asphalt.
Save your wallet and save yourself from headaches. Hire an asphalt contractor today to fill up and seal those cracks in your pavement.
Call us today for a free estimate.