Spring is just around the corner, and that means the season for sealing cracks is about to heat back up.  Here in Texas, you can find the curvy black lines where people have sealed cracks on roads of all different kinds throughout the state.  And the work is certainly not limited to public roads.  Many more private property owners are realizing the benefits of sealing over cracks as a part of keeping their asphalt long lasting and well maintained.  Contractors already doing this type of work know about the growing demand for it on private property, and crack sealing can be a great addition to any paving business.

It’s easy to see how cracks are the gateway to future pavement failures.  Rainwater and other moisture seeps into cracks, causing the base material to fail and allowing potholes to form.  Depending on pavement temperatures, cracks also expand and contract, causing further erosion of the asphalt.  Repairing the area can keep that moisture from reaching the base and sub-base material, keeping the problem from growing.  Sealing cracks properly can extend the life of pavement up to 15 years, and sometimes even longer!

I think the benefits of this type of maintenance are obvious, but how is it done properly?  Better yet, how is it done professionally?  Hot-applied crack filler is a much more permanent repair, but requires special equipment to be used.  For any crack repair, proper preparation of the area to be repaired is key.  Removing loose vegetation, dirt, and debris is important for the material to make the proper bond with the pavement.  This can be done as simply as taking a crack hoe and scraping out the loose pavement and debris, and blowing off the area with a commercial blower.  Many professionals use a hot air lance and air compressor to generate the pressure and temperatures necessary to remove all loose material and moisture from the crack.  Heat lances provide high velocity, high temperature hot air that maximizes the adhesion of any sealant.

Stinger Heat Lance

QPR has a variety of options for your crack filling needs.  On our ShopWorx website you can find the Stinger Heat Lance, which is a self-contained heat lance on wheels and ideal for one-man operation.  Preparation is quick and efficient with the Stinger, and can help crews keep working even after recent rainfall.  Here are some other features and benefits of the Stinger Heat Lance:

• Eliminates other costly and time-consuming preparation tools
• Easy to operate and maneuver, lightweight yet durable
• Constructed with high strength steel and stainless steel tubing
• Adjustable temperature and air volume controls
• Cracks are cleaned at the operator’s walking pace
• Built with pride in the U.S.A.

For melting and applying hot crack sealant, a machine is required.  The QPR All-in-One Melter Applicator is available at Lowe’s Home Improvement stores from coast to coast, as well as the QPR 6690 Hot-Applied Crack Filler for use in the machine.  For more information on QPR’s hot crack filling options available through Lowe’s, please visit your local store or the QPR RoadShop website.  You can also see a quick demonstration of the melter applicator on YouTube.

QPR Melter Applicator available at Lowe's Home Improvement

Hear what some of our customers are saying about the winning combination of the Stinger Heat Lance, QPR 6690 and the All-in-One Melter/Applicator for sealing cracks professionally:

 

I love how the QPR material just binds and binds together. Also, the fact that it is oily and stays flexible makes for one hell of a job! I have used nearly every product in the market, and neither of them come even close to being in the same league as QPR. Another reason why I love the QPR 6690 Hot Applied Crack Sealant is because it does not tack, therefore you do not have to worry about things such as the material sticking to your tires, etc.

- Huey, Huey’s Maintenance (Texas)

 

I love QPR and each of their products that I have used. One of the greatest things about QPR is the convenience factor of being able to drive down the street to my local Lowe’s store and pick up the material that I need. I have been using QPR 6690 Hot Applied Crack Sealant for a while now, and I am completely satisfied. Also, the customer service with QPR is outstanding. It is a great feeling to know that if I ever need information, have questions about a product, or am interested in trying a particular product out, they are always there for me!

- Jim Covington, Lonestar Paving (Texas)

 

The Stinger Heat Lance cleans out cracks quicker and better than we were ever able to on our own.  I can’t believe it took me so long to get one.  Now one man can do the work that two were doing – what a time saver!

- Jacob Nichols, Peach Asphalt Maintenance (Georgia)