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PAVING FABRIC
Geotextile Petromat fabrics are used prior to an asphalt overlay to reduce the amount of full depth repairs required to prevent significant reflective cracking of the lightly cracked areas. Areas that move significantly under the weight of a loaded truck will need to be cut out and replaced prior to placement of crack membrane. The amount of repair, however, will always be less with crack membranes than with a standard overlay, but it is often a judgment call as to which areas can be saved.
A heavy layer of asphalt emulsion (0.2 gallons per square yard) is applied to the prepared surface and the non-woven fabric is rolled into the liquid so that the emulsion is absorbed into the fabric before it sets up. Once the Petromat has cured sufficiently, the surface can be paved with a standard overlay of surface mix asphalt. A minimum thickness of 1½ inches of asphalt is required, although it is ideal to pave with 2 inches or more. Do not consider using this method of repair in turning areas or on grades in a parking lot because the asphalt can “slip” on the fabric. The shear force of the tires on the flexible pavement will push the pavement on top of the fabric and severely reduce its effectiveness.
The Process:
- Clean the existing asphalt surface with brooms and forced air blowers.
- Proof roll the surface with loaded dump truck and identify all areas that move significantly.
- Apply a heavy coat of asphalt emulsion (usually 0.2 gallons per square yard).
- Roll the non-woven fabric into the asphalt emulsion so that emulsion bleeds through to the top layer of the fabric.
- Secure edges of fabric with masonry nails.
- Once the tack has set properly, a new asphalt layer is placed over the fabric layer.
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