TM 5-822-11/AFP 88-6, Chap. 7
6-4. Sealing Operation.
d. Check for Horizontal Alignment. A joint
that does not follow a straight line after being cut
a. Ambient Temperature. The pavement
may leave sealant residue on one of the joint
temperature should be measured and recorded
faces. If the saw cut is not straight, it should be
during start-up and periodically if the temperature
brought to the attention of the contractor. The
is dropping. Do not allow sealing to begin until
joint should be checked to ensure that all of the
the pavement temperature is 50 degrees Fahrenheit
old joint sealant has been removed. The joint
and rising.
should be resawn or sandblasted to remove the
b. Sealing. During the sealing operation the
sealant.
application equipment should be inspected at regu-
lar intervals to obtain the sealant temperature. The
e. Cleaning. The joints and cracks must be
sealant must be applied to depth of 1/8 to 1/4 inch
sandblasted and airblown to remove any remaining
below the surface of the pavement. The operator
debris that could interfere with the bonding of the
should apply the sealant in a continuous motion
sealant to the concrete. If there is any dust
while moving the wand in a way that the sealant
remaining on the joint faces when wiped by a
flows out behind the wand leaving a smooth
finger along the edge of the joint, the joint must
surface on the sealant. The joint or crack should
be marked for sandblasting and airblowing again.
be sealed from the bottom of the sealant reservoir
f. Check for Moisture. The joints must be dry
to the top and in such a manner to prevent air
before they can be sealed. If a joint appears moist
entrapment in the sealant.
anywhere along its length, do not allow that joint
c. Curing. The sealant can be punctured with
to be sealed before the entire length of the joint
a pin or wire to determine if the sealant is curing
has been airblown until it is dry.
or not. If the sealant adheres to the pin, the sealant
has not cured and the project cannot be considered
g. Joint or Crack Repair. After cleaning, the
complete. If the sealant does not cure in the
joints or cracks should be repaired where nec-
recommended time, the uncured sealant must be
essary using the standard procedures described
replaced.
earlier. The spalled areas that need repair should
d. Bond. When the sealant has cured, several
have been marked before cleaning began. Any
joints should be examined to determine if the
damage to the concrete caused by the contractor
sealant has bonded to the concrete. The sealant
during preparation should also be marked and
should not separate from the joint faces when
repaired at this time. The joint or crack must be
pulled lightly across the joint with the fingertips.
continuous through the repaired area and must
If the sealant separates easily from the joint face,
have the same shape factor as the remainder of the
the area of the sealant that was in contact with the
joint or crack. Any spall not repaired will affect
concrete should be examined for debris. Traces of
sealant performance, even minor spalls will affect
debris indicate that" the joint was probably not
field performance when preformed compression
prepared adequately.
seals are used. Therefore, all repairs must be
e. Deficiencies. All deficiencies must be noted
made before the joint is sealed. Additional
in a log book and referenced to a permanent pave-
cleaning will be required after spall repair.
ment feature as mentioned earlier. All conversa-
h. Separating or Backer Material. Following
tions with the contractor are required to note the
the cleaning operation, the backer or separating
deficiency by initialing the log book. This proce-
material should be placed in the joint. These
dure will help reduce arguments over discrepan-
materials should be examined to determine if they
cies arising later.
are nonmoisture absorptive, nonshrinking, and
flexible. The material should also have a melting
6-5. Final Inspection.
point at least 5 degrees Fahrenheit greater than the
a. All joints should be examined to ensure that
pouring temperature of the sealant. The material,
they meet specifications from a visual standpoint.
once approved, should not be changed without the
Items that should be examined include:
approval of the contracting officer. The material
(1) No backer material floating in the
must fit firmly into the joint and should not be
sealant.
twisted or stretched when inserted into the joint.
(2) Joints not over or underfilled.
The backer material must be placed to a depth that
(3) All spilled sealant has been removed.
will provide the specified shape factor uniformly
(4) No debris left on the pavement
throughout the joint. If the material does not fit
surface.
firmly into the joint or the correct shape factor is
(5) Joint sealant has cured and is bonding.
not obtained, the material must be removed and
b. The general procedure described is a
the problem corrected.
continuous process and each of the steps must be
6-4
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