Tips For Using Asphalt Crack Filler
If you have a driveway or other pavement that you want to maintain, you are likely upset when cracks form. The cracks let water into your pavement and can cause it to deteriorate at a faster rate, eventually requiring you to completely replace the pavement. Luckily, it is relatively easy to replace many types of cracks by simply using crack filler. Here are some tips for using the asphalt crack filler so that the process is as easy as possible.
1. Remove All Debris From the Crack
You need as much of the crack filler to actually be touching the walls of the crack as possible. This means that you are going to need to remove as much of the debris as possible ahead of time. First, take something sturdy such as a screwdriver and use it to scrape out all of the dirt, weeds, and other larger chunks of debris that might be in the crack. Then, take a can of compressed air and use it to blow the smaller bits of dirt and dust that you haven't picked up out of the crack. This will allow you to feel relatively certain that you have gotten as much debris out of the crack as possible and that the crack filler will adhere to the walls of the crack.
You should not use a pressure washer because this can force water deeper into the pavement and cause further damage.
2. Consider Prefilling With Sand
Look at the crack that you need to fill and see how deep it is by putting a pencil or a ruler into it. Squeeze out a small amount of crack filler onto a flat surface and then carefully put a small layer on top of it. If the crack is deeper than the two layers of crack filler, then you might want to consider filling the crack with sand in order to create a sturdy base for filler. Fill the crack with sand so that there is just enough room for one or two layers of asphalt filler. Then, squeeze the asphalt layer on top of the sand so that it just hits the top of the crack. Squeegee and flatten anything that is on the top so that the top is totally sealed.
If you have questions or want help with your process, talk to a company like Central Paving & Sealcoating Inc that specializes in asphalt crack filling.
