Chapter 3: Crack Sealing, Crack Filling & Joint Sealing of Flexible & Rigid Pavements

Troubleshooting

This section provides guidance for maintenance personnel to troubleshoot problems with crack sealing and crack filling projects. The checklist section at the end of this chapter presents field considerations that will assist you.

Troubleshooting Guide

The troubleshooting guide presented in Table 4 associates common problems with their potential causes. For example, a sealant separating from the sides of a crack may be caused by application to a wet crack surface, dirty crack surface, poor material finishing technique, application of cold sealant, insufficient material, rain during the application, or application during cold weather. The checklist at the end of the chapter lists field considerations to promote successful outcomes

Table 4: Trouble Shooting Crack Sealing and Filling Projects
	All Seals			Emulsion Seals Only
CAUSE	PROBLEM
	Tacky, Picks Up	Re-Cracks Quickly	Bumpy Surface	Separation From Crack Sides	Emulsion Sealer Not Breaking	Emulsion Sealer Breaks Too Fast	Emulsion Sealer Washes Off
Crack Wet	No	No	No	No	• Yes	No	• Yes
Sealant Not Cured	• Yes	No	No	• Yes	No	• Yes	No
Crack Dirty	• Yes	• Yes	No	• Yes	No	• Yes	No
Insufficient Sanding	• Yes	No	No	• Yes	No	• Yes	No
Poor Finish, Wrong Tools	• Yes	• Yes	• Yes	• Yes	No	• Yes	No
Sealant Too Cold	No	• Yes	• Yes	No	No	No	No
Sealant Too Hot	• Yes	No	No	• Yes	No	No	No
Application Too High	• Yes	No	• Yes	• Yes	No	No	No
Application Too Low	No	• Yes	• Yes	No	No	No	No
Sealant Degraded Due to Overheating	• Yes	• Yes	• Yes	• Yes	• Yes	• Yes	• Yes
Rain During Application	No	No	No	No	• Yes	No	• Yes
Cold Weather	No	• Yes	No	No	• Yes	No	No
Hot Weather	• Yes	No	• Yes	• Yes	No	• Yes	No

In addition to the troubleshooting guide, Table 5 lists some commonly encountered problems and their recommended solutions.

Table 5: Common Problems and Related Solutions
Problem	Solution
Tracking	Reduce the amount of sealant or filler being applied. For hot applied materials, allow to cool or use sand or other blotter. Allow sufficient time for emulsions to cure or use a sufficient amount of sand for a blotter coat. Ensure the sealer/filler is appropriate for the climate in which it is being placed.
Sealant Loss	Ensure cracks are clean and dry. Increase temperature of application. Use the correct sealant for the climate. Allow longer cure time before trafficking.
Bumps	Check squeegee and ensure it is leaving the correct flush finish. Have squeegee follow more closely to the application. Decrease the viscosity of the sealer. Change the rubber on the squeegee.