Is Crack Sealing The Best Choice For Your Driveway Or Private Road?
Posted on: 13 June 2016
If you're a homeowner planning to seal the cracks in a driveway or private road, your needs are very different than a road crew making repairs to a highway or other highly traveled route.
First, you want to choose a treatment that will endure the weather, but doesn't necessarily have to handle heavy traffic. Second, you're free to choose an option that will take a little longer if it produces better results, but keep in mind when you will need to use the driveway again so you're not stuck waiting for the treatment to set.
Options for Surface Treatments
There are a few options for sealing driveway and private road cracks.
- Crack Seals. Heated liquid asphalt is injected into each crack in order to block water or debris from entering.
- Chip Seals. A thin coating of liquid asphalt is applied, immediately followed by a layer of gravel that will provide a uniform surface to block cracks.
- Micro Paving. Sometimes called micro-surfacing, this process involves putting a thin layer over the existing road. It can be applied over many types of existing surfaces.
- Thin Overlays. A completely new layer of asphalt is laid down and rolled to compact it; it can be driven on almost immediately but the cost may be higher than other options.
- Slurry Seals. A very wet mix of asphalt, crushed rock and sealer is applied to cover the road. It's typically not as smooth as an overlay.
Of these options, crack sealing can be the most economical and, therefore, most appealing for a homeowner. Crack sealing does require a 24-hour cure time and won't last for years and years, but can be a great option for driveways and private roads that prevents further water damage or destruction.
How is Crack Sealing Done?
Each crack has to be properly prepared to accept sealant, so an experienced professional is usually your best choice for having your driveway or road repaired with this method. All the debris and dirt has to be removed from the crack in order to correctly seal it. Most pros will also route the crack, or cut a small channel near the top that allows the sealant to expand and contract in weather extremes.
Once the cracks are cleaned, the heated sealant is applied using a crack seal hose and delivery wand, like those available at Copperstate Hose. The crack seal hose is constantly under pressure and the sealant is constantly circulating in order to prevent the sealant from setting up before it's in the crack.
Crack sealing is a good choice if you simply want to protect your drive or private road from water and buy a little more time before you must completely resurface.
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