Pricing a Crack Sealing Job: What You Need to Know

One of the difficult things about pricing a crack sealing job is that no two projects are created in quite the same way. Sometimes, concrete repair can be done quickly. Other situations that go beyond normal “wear and tear” require a more extensive approach.

Regardless, so long as you break the process down into a series of smaller and more manageable steps, you’ll be able to come up with an accurate estimate in terms of the crack sealing cost to work from moving forward.

Surface Preparation for Concrete Companies

One of the most important things to understand about concrete repair is that it’s not something you can just hastily get started on. Preparing the surface is one of the keys to success and that process can take more time than people realize.

Naturally, the surface will need to be spotless before work can begin in earnest. If you’re working with a modestly-sized driveway, this will go faster than if you’re talking about a massive commercial parking lot with A) a lot of dust, dirt, and debris that need to be cleared, and B) countless large and small cracks.

The Amount of Crack Sealing Material You’re Going to Use

Next, you have to consider the amount of crack sealing material you’re going to use. This will typically be dictated by the size of the space you’re working with, as well as how extensive the cracks are that you’re working to repair.

If the job involves a very large, very old parking lot, you’re probably dealing with more extreme cracks. Because of that, you’ll use more asphalt crack filler than if you were performing routine maintenance on a more recent lot. The more material you use, the more expensive the job will be.

Manpower Cost

No discussion of anticipated crack sealing cost estimates would be complete without diving into one of the most important parts: manpower. Each person performing the work will need to be paid appropriately, and it should come as no surprise that a job that requires multiple people will naturally cost more than ones that will be completed alone.

Making sure that your people have access to the best equipment (like gas-powered crack cleaning machines, for example) will help them work more efficiently, which should cut down on a lot of the manpower requirements (and labor costs) as a result.

The Type of Material You Are Using

Finally, you need to carefully consider the type of material you’re using and how that will impact the overall cost of the project. Some types of premium materials are simply more expensive than others, even if you’re talking about the same quantity or volume.

When using asphalt seal coating, for example, there are multiple types to consider. You can choose between asphalt emulsion, coal tar emulsion, acrylic asphalt sealer, and gilsonite. Asphalt emulsion is typically on the more cost-effective side of the price scale. However, depending on the conditions of the job you find in front of you, it may be wise to invest in something on the pricier end.

Even the brand of a particular material and the store you choose to buy it from can impact how much you will pay, so be sure to take all of this into consideration and adjust your prices accordingly.

If you’d like to find out more information about the factors that impact crack sealing cost and how you should price each job, please don’t delay – contact us today.

5 Things You Need to Know About Alligator Cracking

Concrete cracking occurs for a number of reasons, and it’s important to take care of cracks to prolong the lifespan of your asphalt. Alligatored asphalt is a term used by concrete companies to identify cracks that look like alligator skin. The cracks can be small, and caused by too much traffic, heavy loads, or from temperature extremes. If you have problems with the structural integrity of your concrete, it’s time to learn more about solving the problem.

Alligator Cracking Is Common

One of the first things to understand about concrete cracking, is that alligator cracking is a common type of damage you will see with asphalt. It can occur no matter how old the concrete is, and will need to be repaired to prevent water from getting below the surface to cause further issues.

Heavy Loads are Only One Cause of Alligator Cracking

Too much weight on your driveway or parking lot is only one way that alligator cracking occurs. Excessive traffic on the concrete will eventually cause it to wear down and crack. An inadequate subgrade below the surface can lead to alligator cracking, because the concrete is not being properly supported during use.

It’s Expensive to Neglect Alligator Cracks

If you don’t take the time to repair small concrete cracking issues, it is going to get expensive to repair the problem over time. When you ignore alligator cracks in concrete, the integrity of the surface of your driveway or parking lot is ruined. This means water and other debris can get below the surface, degrading the supporting foundation. Cracks will start to get larger, and eventually you will need to replace the entire project.

You Can Clean Alligatored Concrete Easily

Understand that you don’t have to use a pressure washer in order to properly clean alligatored concrete. This surface can be cleaned with a regular hose, water, and stiff broom to remove dirt and debris. If you try to use a pressure washer on alligatored concrete, you could end up applying too much pressure and causing further damage to the concrete.

Summer is the Best Time to Repair Concrete

If you have alligatored asphalt on your property, summer is the best time to consider hiring concrete companies to take care of the work for you. The weather is nice, and you want to be sure that you have enough warmth for the asphalt to cure. When asphalt is laid in the warm weather months, it can be applied with the intent that it will shrink slightly when the cold weather hits. If you have noticed problems with alligator concrete cracking, summer is a great time to call for a repair.

When you take good care of your asphalt, it can last for many years without a problem. Pay attention to any small cracks, and get those filled in before they become too large to repair. Avoid heavy traffic on your concrete, and clean the surface periodically to remove any dirt, debris or chemical spills. When you take care of small repairs, your driveway is going to last longer. Good maintenance is less expensive than replacing the existing surface because of neglect.