2541.01 DESCRIPTION.
This work shall consist of routing and cleaning (preparation) of cracks in HMA surface and sealing the prepared cracks with a joint sealer.

2541.02 MATERIALS.
The joint sealer shall be a poured joint sealer material meeting requirements of Article 4136.02. A hot pour sealer will be required.

Backer rod used in conjunction with this sealer shall meet requirements of Article 4136.02. The rod shall be of a size that compression is required for installation in the crack so it maintains its position during the filling operation. More than one size may be necessary to complete the work.

2541.03 EQUIPMENT.

A. Routing or Sawing Equipment.
Routing or sawing equipment shall be power driven and capable of cutting the cracks to the required dimensions. Equipment designed to "plow" the cracks to dimension will not be permitted.

B. Air Compressors.
Air compressors shall provide moisture and oil free air and shall be of sufficient size to blow sand and other foreign material from the crack and the pavement surface.

C. Equipment Used for Heating and Placing the Material.
Equipment used for heating and placing the sealant material shall be of the oil jacketed, double boiler type, capable of heating the material to 400°F (205°C) and pumping the material into the prepared cracks.

2541.04 CONSTRUCTION.

A. Class I Cracks.
Cracks and joints which have an average opening of 3/8 inch (10 mm) or less shall be routed or sawed to provide a minimum sealant reservoir of 3/8 inch (10 mm) in width by a nominal 1/2 inch (13 mm) in depth. Backer rod or clean dry sand shall be used for cracks and joints with an existing width greater than 3/8 inch (10 mm). Cracks and joints shall be cleaned of all foreign material to a depth necessary to accommodate the sealer material and the backer rod, or sand, to be used. The backer rod shall be dry when placed.

B. Intentionally Left Blank.

C. Prior to Opening to Traffic.
Asphalt cement concrete and foreign material resulting from crack preparation shall be removed from the roadway by brooming, compressed air, or other methods satisfactory to the Engineer.

D. Cracks Shall Be Clean and Dry Prior to Sealing.
The entire crack reservoir shall be slightly overfilled with sealant and tightly squeegeed with a narrow V-shaped squeegee, immediately after placement of the sealant while still hot. The squeegee shall be operated within approximately 1 foot (0.3 m) of the wand tip used to place the sealant. Sealant on the roadway surface in excess of 1/2 inch (13 mm) on each side of the crack edge will not be acceptable.

E. Sealer Material.
Sealer material shall be heated, handled, and applied according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

2541.05 LIMITATIONS.
Crack cleaning and sealing shall be done only when the ambient air and pavement surface temperatures are above 40°F (4°C). When near this minimum, additional air blasting or drying time or both may be necessary to assure a satisfactory bond to the crack surfaces. Crack sealing after September 30 will not be allowed.

The work shall be conducted on only one lane of the pavement width at a time. When work encroaches on an adjacent lane, a flagger will be required at that location.

Articles 1107.08, 1107.09, and 1108.03 shall apply.

Lanes may be opened to traffic only after the sealer has set sufficiently so it will not pick up under traffic. Blotting material may be applied to the sealer, but only after the sealer surface has set so as to avoid penetration of the blotting material into the sealer.

Debris and saw slurry or dust from dry sawing or routing operations shall be removed from the pavement surface before the pavement is opened to traffic.

Dry sawed or routed joints or cracks shall be cleaned with a stream of air sufficient to remove all dirt, dust, and deleterious material that can adhere to the joint face before the pavement is opened to traffic. This work shall be done within 3 hours after the joint or crack has been dry sawed or routed.

Wet sawed joints shall be cleaned with high pressure water immediately after sawing to remove residue produced by the sawing operation.

Cracks shall be sealed within 3 working days after preparation.

2541.06 METHOD OF MEASUREMENT.

A. Crack and Joint Cleaning and Sealing (HMA Surfaces)
The Engineer will calculate the number of miles (kilometers) of main line pavement on which cracks and joints were cleaned and sealed to the nearest 0.1 mile (0.1 kilometer). The calculations will be based on the center line distance of main line, two-lane pavement, corrected for main line pavement of more than two lanes, including climbing lanes. At intersections, rest areas, and interchanges designated for cleaning and sealing, the additional areas of widened pavement, ramps, storage lanes, turning lanes, paved medians, and parking in rest areas will not be separately measured for payment. Between limits for which cleaning and sealing is intended for either pavement or shoulders, no deductions will be made for bridges, intersections, or other interruptions where cracks or joints are not to be cleaned and sealed.

B. Sealer Material (HMA Surfaces)
The Engineer will measure in pounds (kilograms) the amount of sealer material used in cracks and joints.

2541.07 BASIS OF PAYMENT.

A. Crack and Joint Cleaning and Sealing (HMA Surfaces)
For the number of miles (kilometers) of pavement or shoulders on which the cracks and joints were cleaned and sealed, the Contractor will be paid the contract unit price per mile (kilometer). This payment shall be considered full compensation for all labor, equipment, and materials (except for sealer, but including backer rod or sand) for cleaning and sealing cracks and joints.

B. Sealer Material (HMA Surfaces)
For the number of pounds (kilograms) measured, the Contractor will be paid the contract unit price per pound (kilogram). This payment shall be full compensation for furnishing the sealer material only.