Joint seal damage is not counted on a slab-by-slab basis, but is rated based on the overall condition of the sealant in the sample unit.
Joint sealer is in satisfactory condition if it prevents entry of water into the joint, it has some elasticity, and if there is no vegetation growing between the sealer and joint face.
Pre-molded sealer is rated using the same criteria as above except as follows: (1) pre-molded sealer must be elastic and must be firmly pressed against the joint walls; and (2) pre-molded sealer must be below the joint edge. If it extends above the surface, it can be caught by moving equipment such as snow plows or brooms and be pulled out of the joint. Pre-molded sealer is recorded at low severity if any part is visible above joint edge. It is at medium severity if 10 % or more of the length is above joint edge or if any part is more than ½ in. (12 mm) above joint edge. It is at high severity if 20 % or more is above joint edge or if any part is more than 1 in. (25 mm) above joint edge, or if 10 % or more is missing.
Rate joint sealer by joint segment. Sample unit rating is the same as the most severe rating held by at least 20 % of segments rated.
Rate only the left and up-station joints along sample unit boundaries.
In rating oxidation, do not rate on appearance, rate on resilience. Some joint sealer will have a very dull surface, and may even show surface cracks in the oxidized layer. If the sealer is performing satisfactorily and has good characteristics beneath the surface, it is satisfactory.