An Asphalt Crack Repair in Fort Worth How-To Guide

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Prompt asphalt crack repair in Fort Worth is vital for homeowners, as cracks, chips, potholes and other blemishes along the surface of asphalt tend to collect water, gravel, and other debris, leading to even greater damage. Proper repair of asphalt paving in Fort Worth also provides a safe surface for pedestrians and vehicle traffic.

While larger cracks and potholes are best addressed by a professional asphalt paving contractor near you, smaller cracks and tiny chips and imperfections in asphalt might be patched by a homeowner or property owner. To ensure you’re always keeping your home’s asphalt driveway or a commercial parking lot in good repair, note some tips on asphalt crack repair in Fort Worth and some vital information on when you should call a professional paving contractor instead!

Tips for Asphalt Crack Repair in Fort Worth

For driveway crack repair in Fort Worth, start by removing all vegetation growing through a crack or pothole. Sweep out the damaged area or use a leaf blower and blow away all residues and debris. Use a heavy-duty screwdriver to widen the crack as needed, exposing the lower layers and ensuring there is a thick base or foundation to hold your patching material.

Use asphalt patch filler on a driveway crack. Be sure to tamp down the filler as you apply it, so that it’s compacted and firm and adheres to the surrounding asphalt. Once the crack is patched, you might need to apply sealant over the patch or even your entire span of pavement, to protect your work and your driveway or parking lot!

What Causes Asphalt Driveway Cracks in Fort Worth?

To keep your property’s asphalt in good condition, consider what causes asphalt driveway cracks in Fort Worth as well as damage to asphalt in general:

• One of the most common causes of asphalt driveway cracks in Fort Worth is improper installation. Asphalt needs a proper sub-base or foundation for strength and stability; failure to compact underlying soil and add a proper layer of aggregate before asphalt is installed then results in the pavement shifting, buckling, and cracking.
• Consistent freeze-thaw cycles also cause asphalt to expand and contract, leading to cracks, chips, and other such damage.
• Motor oil is especially damaging to this material as it breaks down the binders in asphalt, leading to potholes and cracks.
• Tree roots and excessive moisture also push against asphalt from the underside, causing it to buckle and lift out of position and then crack and split.
• Abrasive chemicals such as snow clearing salt and fertilizers also break down asphalt, weakening it and leading to cracks, potholes, and chips.

Does Seal Coating Repair Cracks in Asphalt?

A seal coating might fill in very minor hairline cracks in asphalt, but note that a standard seal coat is meant to protect asphalt from damage, not act as a patching or filler. Seal coating adds a layer of protective material between asphalt and outside weather conditions, harsh sunlight, and the like.

Chip sealing a Fort Worth driveway or parking lot is useful for repairing damage. A chip seal starts with a layer of liquid asphalt over which a layer of aggregates or chips is added; the mixture is then compacted and allowed to cure. Chip sealing fills in cracks and small potholes and provides a fresh asphalt surface, ready for new parking lines and vehicle traffic.

How Long Should a Fort Worth Asphalt Installation Last?

A high-quality asphalt installation in Fort Worth should last some 20 to 30 years, but the lifespan of asphalt depends on its overall maintenance and general wear and tear. Note some vital information about maintaining asphalt and keeping it in good condition so you know your new driveway or parking lot maintains its strength and stability as well as its appearance for as long as possible:

• Power wash your property’s asphalt every year and even more than once throughout the year, to remove built-up dirt, mud, sand, silt, snow clearing salt and other chemicals, and damaging motor oil.
• Power washing in summertime also cools the surface of asphalt, preventing it from softening and then developing cracks and chips.
• Know the weight limits of your property’s asphalt. Thinner layers of asphalt are often fine for a residential driveway, unless you own a large, heavy motor home! If you will be driving heavier vehicles over your property’s asphalt, have added layers of the paving material installed for increased strength and stability.
• Fill small cracks, chips, and potholes immediately, to keep them from harboring residues and standing water that break down the binders in asphalt.
• Seal coat asphalt in Fort Worth, to provide that protective barrier against damage. However, be sure you note how often you should seal coat asphalt in your area and don’t add sealant any more often than necessary, to protect your pavement from weakening.
• Avoid using or running sharp tools and equipment along the surface of asphalt; this includes snow plows, rakes, garden tillers, and the like.

Which Is Better, a Fort Worth Asphalt Installation or Concrete?

Both asphalt and concrete have pros and cons, but note that asphalt is far less costly to install than concrete. The material is also easier and more cost-efficient to repair and the texture of asphalt provides added traction against skidding and sliding. The dark color of asphalt also provides a natural contrast against your lawn and landscaping and a white home or building.

Note, too, that many people mistakenly assume that asphalt is a poor choice for the environment as it’s produces with petroleum; however, asphalt is fully recyclable and doesn’t require a mixing truck in constant use during its installation. A chip sealant also extends the life of your asphalt driveway or parking lot so that you don’t need to have the pavement torn up and removed as often throughout the years, reducing waste.

Asphalt is also softer underfoot than concrete, absorbing movement and sound, potentially reducing wear and tear on vehicles and creating a quieter outside environment. Consistent asphalt crack repair in Fort Worth is also typically easier than patching concrete, making asphalt an excellent option for any residential or commercial property.