EXPERT ADVICE
2. Make sure all cracks are clean and dry. To ensure maximum
adhesion and longevity, start with clean, dry cracks. Water
is the enemy of pavement and crack sealant. If it’s rained re-
cently, or precipitating now, schedule work for another day.
If it’s dry enough, clean cracks thoroughly to remove rocks,
weeds, and dirt that will affect work. (Extraneous debris will
open up gaps in the sealant and cause its failure.) Cleaning
can be done with a wire broom, compressed air, or the Crafco
Crack-Vac™, a customer favorite in areas with air particulate
regulations. You’ll also want to use a heat gun to make sure
pavement is the right application temperature: 40°F and ris-
ing. If you notice excessive bubbling as you lay down sealant,
that’s a sign of moisture and debris. Stop immediately and
re-clean cracks before applying more material.
3. Use the correct sealant and maintain it properly. Not all seal-
ant is created equal. Sealant properties change by climate,
ASTM type, viscosity, and more. As you select sealant, make
sure it falls within approved spec, and that the sealant lot
number is on hand in case there’s any issue. First, look at heat-
ing type. Indirect-fired and direct-fired sealants are not inter-
changeable. You must select them by your melter type. Next,
if you change sealant between jobs, remember to empty the
tank completely before adding a different sealant, as mixing
two sealants can change chemistry drastically. Finally, make
sure to heat to manufacturer instructions and agitate sealant
properly. Overheated or overworked material can break down,
reducing pot life and causing adhesion issues. Underheated
material won’t flow down to the depth of the crack. Resist the
temptation to throw in many blocks at one time as this can
reduce the temperature of the heated material in your tank,
delaying operation. Add new material in the same amount
that you’re laying it down to keep proper flow and application
temperature. Too many blocks can also jam agitation paddles
in certain melters.
4. Take care of your equipment. Having a good-quality melter
will make your work better, easier, and safer. And main-
tained properly, it will last for years and perform at maximum
Continued on page 24
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