Crack Sealing

Discrete transverse thermal cracks, longitudinal joints, construction joints, and some block cracks can be sealed when surrounding pavement remains stable. Cracks with loose edges are routed or repaired first. Alligator cracking, pumping, deep rutting, and settlement indicate support failure and need patching or reconstruction. Harrowgate classifies each area before measuring seal quantity.

Routing removes oxidized, irregular crack edges and forms a uniform reservoir with geometry suited to flexible sealant. It improves wall contact and lets the material move without leaving a thick surface ridge. Routing is used where the specification and crack condition call for it, because weak or severely broken pavement may require removal instead.

No. Water, frost, and damp fines prevent adhesion and can flash into steam near hot material. Harrowgate cleans and dries the reservoir with approved equipment and seals immediately before it is recontaminated. Work stops during rain or when temperature and surface conditions fall outside the product and project requirements.

A hot-poured rubberized asphalt compound selected for Ontario temperature and movement is commonly used. The exact product must satisfy the project specification and approved application range. Harrowgate verifies batch data, keeps the melter agitated, monitors temperature, and rejects overheated or contaminated material because heat history directly affects elasticity and bond.

The material must cool and develop a surface that resists pickup by tires. Time changes with sealant type, reservoir size, pavement temperature, shade, and traffic. Harrowgate controls each work lane until a field check shows no tracking. Approved blotter or release treatment is used only where the specification permits early crossing.

It reduces water and debris entering suitable cracks, which slows one pathway that contributes to potholes. It cannot correct thin asphalt, poor drainage, failed base, settlement, or fatigue cracking. Harrowgate combines sealing with patching, inlet repair, edge work, and resurfacing so preservation is applied only to pavement that can benefit from it.

Structural patches are completed first, then suitable cracks are routed, cleaned, and sealed. Sealcoat follows after the crack material has cooled or cured as required and compatibility is confirmed. This sequence treats movement with a flexible reservoir and oxidation with a thin surface film, instead of asking sealcoat to bridge active openings.