The astronomical start of summer is just weeks away, and the warm days of June, July, and August are unquestionably the best time of year to schedule and complete all outstanding pavement projects. Not insignificantly, this avoids the late season rush and ensures that asphalt repairs and maintenance is completed before winter, even if the fall weather turns inclement or cold weather stages an early arrival. Summer temperatures are ideal for all types of asphalt maintenance work. Warm weather speeds drying and curing times for line striping paint and sealcoat. This means that parking areas can be returned to service quickly, with less chance of tire tracking marks. Even hot mixed asphalt cures best when the mix temperature is maintained as long as possible. Sealing Cracks is a Top Priority The most critical element in maintaining any pavement surface is the regular sealing of cracks to prevent water from penetrating to the base soil. The best protection against water penetration is sealing all cracks with a hot-applied rubberized joint sealant that meets federal specifications. The superior flexibility and durability of this product, even at very low temperatures, allow it to block water seepage through cracks even under the harshest winter conditions. The Importance of Periodic Sealcoating The second most critical element in any asphalt maintenance plan is Sealcoating on a three-year cycle. Sealcoat may either be an asphalt emulsion or a latex-based coal tar pitch emulsion fortified with additives and sand. It provides a durable barrier to both the elements and fuel/oil leaks. The primary benefit of sealcoat is that it greatly slows the whole asphalt degradation process. The natural destruction of paved surfaces begins with solar ultraviolet oxidation of the asphalt binder, leading to shrinkage and cracking. Sealcoat is an effective sun block for your pavement. Cut and Patch the Potholes Areas of spider-web cracks and broken pavement most often occur where simple linear cracks have been neglected and not properly sealed. Water penetration and winter freeze-thaw cycles widen the cracks, and the damage progresses at an accelerating pace. Eventually the pavement breaks through completely and potholes form. Areas that have spider webbed cracks or potholes are beyond the point of crack sealing. These areas must be cut square, ripped out, regraded, and then repaved with 1.5" of bituminous binder, followed by 1.5" of bituminous topcoat asphalt. Edges must be emulsified to bond the new pavement to the old. Complete Pavement Projects before Late Fall As fall progresses, dropping leaves and foliage debris can be problematic for sealcoating and line striping in some locations. Sealcoating every three years is the best strategy for prolonging pavement life. Declining temperatures in October end the season for sealcoat application, as the product requires temperatures above the 50s to cure properly. Paving, cut and patch paving, and crack sealing with hot-applied rubberized joint sealant can continue well into the cold months, so long as there is no snow cover. My advice then to property owners and managers considering pavement maintenance or repair projects is to schedule the work now while the conditions are ideal. Avoid the fall rush for last minute work. For the longest possible pavement life, asphalt surfaces should be sealcoated at least every three years. Simple linear cracks should be sealed with a hot-applied rubberized joint sealant If extensively cracked or broken pavement exists, the defective area should be cut square beyond the damage, ripped out, regraded, and repaved with basecoat binder and bituminous asphalt topcoat. Your pavement contractor can be your best resource in attaining the longest life from your pavement investment. At U.S. Pavement Services, we provide our customers with free pavement inspection and consultation services, and regularly provide cost effective solutions to a variety of pavement problems. Michael Musto is president of U.S. Pavement Services, Woburn, Mass.