Crack sealing is a cost-effective pavement preservation treatment that can slow a pavement’s deterioration and extend pavement life by three to five years, according to the research. But not all cracks can, or should, be sealed.
Cracks should be wider than ⅛ of an inch, but no wider than 1 ½ inches for the sealing method of repair.
This includes block, edge, longitudinal, reflective, thermal and transverse cracking. Alligator cracking may not be a candidate for crack sealing, as the alligator cracks indicate failures requiring repair beyond crack sealing. For this distress, you will likely be asked to saw cut and remove the area for patching. And that’s another tip for another day.
If the crack is a candidate for sealing, it’s important to perform the work as soon as possible, before the pavement becomes too distressed.
According to the Pavement Preservation & Recycling Alliance’s roadresource.org, 75% of unsealed cracks develop into potholes within three years, while only 1% of sealed cracks develop into potholes in that same timeframe. This proves you want to pounce on the problem and solve it early!