Water is the most destructive element to our pavement. Water entering our roadway through cracks accelerates the deterioration of the roadway. In time, the water will undermine and weaken the roadway base material creating cracks and potholes. Sealing pavement cracks to prevent water from entering the base and subbase will extend the pavement life from 3 to 5 years.
Cracks must be free of all dirt, dust and debris. The sealant must have a clean, dry bonding surface. Surface preparation can be accomplished with compressed air or hot lance. This technique works well when the dirt is dry and not packed hard. If the cracks are filled with wet dirt, the dirt needs to be removed and the crack must be completely dried. An air compressor or a hot-air lance generating temperatures in excess of 2,000º F is the best tool. In simple terms, a heat lance （hot lance）uses hot compressed air that blows cracks clean while drying them out. Field studies and research are fi nding that heat lances(hot lance) are valuable tools for successful programs.
