The Line Between Maintenance and Repair
A surface crack is a maintenance concern. A structural crack is a base or thickness problem showing itself on the surface. The two look different, behave differently, and require very different responses.
Warning Signs of Structural Failure
- Alligator cracking: interconnected pattern indicates the pavement is flexing beyond design
- Pumping: fine material squeezed up through cracks after rain — a wet base
- Settlement: the crack has a step, or the pavement on one side has dropped
- Widening over time: a crack that has doubled or tripled in width in a year
- Cracks with multiple parallel companions: progressive fatigue
- Cracks around drainage structures: base washout
What Sealant Will Not Fix
Crack sealant cannot restore load capacity. Once the base or subgrade has failed, sealing the surface is a delaying action at best. Continued traffic will re-crack the pavement through and around the seal, and water will continue to reach the base through the failed material.
The Correct Response
- Test the base. Core the pavement or excavate a test pit near the failure.
- Diagnose the cause. Base thickness? Drainage? Load beyond design?
- Design the repair. Full-depth patch, base rebuild, drainage correction — whatever the diagnosis calls for.
- Rebuild. Saw-cut clean edges, replace failed base, place hot mix in lifts, compact properly.
- Seal and protect the surrounding surface after the repair.
Getting Honest Advice
The hardest part of asphalt work is telling a customer that crack sealant will not solve their problem. It is also the most important part. Any contractor who quotes crack seal on obvious structural failures is protecting their sale, not your investment.
Related Services
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Get a Free Estimate
Quality Paving provides estimates throughout Middle Georgia and surrounding communities, subject to project location and scheduling. If you would like an honest assessment of your property, request a free estimate or call (770) 946-5355.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I test if my base is failing?
A qualified contractor can core the pavement in a few locations to expose the layers. Field engineers can do deflection testing on larger lots.
Can I patch just the failed area?
Yes, when the failure is localized. A saw-cut full-depth patch with proper base can be highly effective.
When is reconstruction the only answer?
When more than about 25% of the surface shows base failure, patching stops making economic sense.