Why Asphalt Maintenance?

When asphalt is made it is a combination of aggregate and asphalt oil.  As asphalt ages it is exposed to not only vehicle traffic, but also the elements, such as: Sun, Rain, and of course, the most destructive force in South East Idaho, Freezing. 

This oxidization process slowly deteriorates the asphalt over time.  Specifically, the oils that bind the asphalt together are slowly destroyed allowing the aggregate in the asphalt to break free or ravel off the asphalt surface. 

Raveling on the surface of asphalt is one of the first signs of deteriorating asphalt.  As small, grit like pieces of aggregate break free, voids and small gaps are left behind. These voids are then exposed to water which will penetrate the asphalt.  Water not only continues to work away at the asphalt oils from inside, but even worse, water inside your asphalt during Idaho’s freezing winter months will expand and contract to break the asphalt, causing cracks. 

Cracks in an asphalt surface are even more destructive than they may appear.  Cracks provide water with direct access to the sub-base of the road or lot.  As water mixes with the gravel underneath, the sub-base becomes soft, allowing the asphalt surface above to fail.  This failure is most often the cause of potholes and or cracking so close together it looks like an alligators back.  Gator and potholes are both preventable with proper asphalt maintenance. 

Crack seal!  The most important component!

The Purpose of Crack Seal is to do just that, seal the crack.  However there is more to it than that, if an effective seal is the expected result.  There are multiple types of crack seals that are designed to fill cracks in different situations.  For example the difference between cold pour and hot pour sealants.  Where cold pour sealants sold at hardware stores or contractor depots may be acceptable in a warmer climate, there is no reasonable expectation that they should last past the first freeze in Southeast Idaho.  In Idaho's cold environment the flexibility of a hot pour crack seal is needed to last through the freeze thaw cycle we experience every winter. 

There are specific crack seal materials made for cracks greater than an inch which contain an aggregate.  These materials combine the elasticity needed to endure cold temperatures while providing more structure within the crack at the same time.  There are specific crack seal products designed for highways and road use that differ from those designed for parking lot and driveway use where more foot traffic is expected. 
Whatever the specific crack situation may be, Imperial Asphalt knows the solution. 

After first evaluating the needed asphalt maintenance, our professional crew will remove all vegetation, dirt, and debris from the cracks with an industrial size compressor to prepare the crack.  Then our indirect heat transfer kettle will melt blocks of rubberized joint sealant at temperatures above 350 degrees F.  This liquid rubber is then installed in the crack filling it to the top, leaving a band-aid effect on the surface to create a sealed crack.  The liquid rubberized material is allowed to penetrate the crack as deep as it will flow and then slowly adhere to the side wall as it cools down and cures.  This bond affect is something that is best achieved by the heated liquid form hot pour crack seal provides. 

Imperial Asphalt also offers other needed services such as the routing of cracks, Traffic Control, and Cleaning of parking lots, driveways, and roads with our vacuum truck/sweeper.

On streets, roads, and highway projects the routing of cracks is essential to an effective asphalt preservation program.  Whether the specified route combination is a ½ inch wide and ¾ of an inch deep or 3/8 of an inch deep and 1 and a ½ inches wide, our experienced crew can execute the job to specification.  For further information on road projects please download our Recommended Idaho Crack Seal Specifications.(<-- coming soon)

From small residential driveways to complex highway crack seal maintenance, Imperial Asphalt has served Southeast Idaho for over 15 years.  We offer free asphalt maintenance evaluations and consultations and we will follow up with superior service and quality work, all with competitive prices.