Crack seal products are used to fill individual pavement cracks to prevent entry of water or other non-compressible substances such as sand, dirt, rocks or weeds. Crack sealant is typically used on early stage longitudinal cracks, transverse cracks, reflection cracks and block cracks.
The recommended time to perform crack sealing is in the spring or fall. Pavement expands and contracts with temperature fluctuations and, in spring or fall, the pavement is midway b/w its minimum and maximum movement.
While crack filling may only last one or two seasons depending on the cracks activity, crack sealing can last up to 8 years or more and is considered a permanent treatment. Crack sealing is the only effective treatment for active cracks that contract and expand from season to season.
Hot pour crack filling and sealing is generally done on roads and highways and in many cases, on parking lots. Hot pour offers the advantage of quick set times (10 minutes or less). Once the hot pour material cools you can drive on it.
QUIKRETE® Concrete Crack Sealant will be tack-free in 2 hours at 75oF (24oC) and 50% relative humidity, and fully cured in 5 to 8 days. Low humidity, cooler temperatures and non-porous substrates will lengthen these times. Allow sealant to cure for 72 hours prior to painting or exposing to traffic.
Fill any cracks that have appeared and have a professional team come and sealcoat your asphalt. This will help protect it during its adolescence and elongate this period as long as possible. Sealcoating is a standard part of maintenance and should be performed every 3-5 years.
We recommend that you have your asphalt driveway resealed every 2-3 years at maximum. Waiting any longer could result in faster deterioration of your pavement. And doing it too often (i.e. annually) could result in chipping and flaking.
You'll get the best results if you take the time to repair cracks in the surface of the driveway before applying a final coat of sealant. For cracks less than 1/2 inch, use a bottle of crack filler.
Asphalt crack sealing is an important step to take for the maintenance of your asphalt surface, because it helps to prevent larger maintenance projects down the road. Even the smallest cracks can easily turn into larger cracks, craters, and dangerous potholes.
The best time to sealcoat your driveway is during summer when the temperature is above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. It's not advisable to seal coat in the winter as the colder season will negatively affect the performance of the sealer. The sealer may not bond with the asphalt or will not cure correctly.
If you seal too soon, you risk trapping the chemicals that make the asphalt flexible and more susceptible to tire marks, imprints, and cracking. Simply rolling a sealcoating machine onto soft asphalt has enough weight to leave an imprint.
After the sealer is applied, it requires between 4 and 8 hours of drying time in order not to be rain affected, depending on the sun exposure of the asphalt and the temperature on the day of the work. If there is deep shade or the asphalt has northern exposure, it may require more drying time.
When Is It Too Hot? Sealcoating manufacturers do not recommend applying sealants if the temperature is above 90 degrees.
Filling Cracks
As we noted above, filling in cracks costs between $1 and $3 per linear foot. However, a professional will charge a minimum service fee to diagnose and repair asphalt driveways. And so, you'll pay an average of $100 to $400 for crack repair on your whole driveway, depending on the severity.
While we still recommend those with cracks developing try to get their asphalt seal coated before it gets too cold, spring is really the best time for seal coating. It means your driveways and parking lots look great for the entire year, and warm spring weather is the perfect temperature for a well-set coat.
Apply Sealcoat to the Area
Cracks indicate a weak area in the asphalt. One of the best ways to protect your pavement around the crack is to apply a fresh layer of sealcoat. Sealcoat is the sealant used on top of asphalt to prevent erosion and discourage cracks.
For use on Driveways, Parking Lots, Streets, Highways, and Airport Runways. Flex-A-Fill® is a hot-applied polymer modified asphalt sealant used to seal cracks in asphalt concrete or Portland cement concrete pavements.
Seal coating is for those, mainly businesses and properties, who want to give their new asphalt a high-class look and prevent damage for years into the future. Crack sealing is for those who have cracks in their existing asphalt, who want to repair their surfaces as opposed to replacing them.
Brick: For sealing gaps in brick, a silicone caulk such as DOWSIL 758 Silicone Weather Barrier Sealant is a great choice. It's waterproof and can withstand extreme temperatures, making it ideal for use around windows, doors, and other penetrations.