Crack Repair Questions

1) Can pavement sealer fill cracks in the pavement?
No... Pavement sealer will not fill cracks in the pavement. Crack repairs must be performed before the sealcoating is applied.

2) What is hot pour crack filling?
Hot pour crack filler is a flexible, rubber-like product that is used to repair cracks in asphalt pavements. It starts out as a solid, rubber block or cube, which is melted down, in a special kettle. Once melted, the crack filler is applied over cracks in the asphalt pavement as a flat strip.

3) What is the difference between hot pour and cold pour crack fillers?
Hot pour crack filler is applied hot. It then cools to a pliable, rubber like consistency allowing it to expand and contract with the crack. Cold pour crack filler can be a water or asphalt based product, that is applied to cracks in liquid form and then dries to a solid. Cold pour crack fillers may not perform as well as hot pour crack fillers due to their lack of flexibility when dried, but cold pour also has a smaller chance of being messy due to its ability to be poured out of a fine spout. Typically hot pour would be used in a commercial application and cold pour would be used residentially.

4) Why isn't the hot pour crack filler completely hardened?
After it has been applied and allowed to cool, hot pour crack filler is supposed to remain flexible. If you press it with your finger it will flex. If you park on it with your car tires, it will temporarily retain the tread pattern. This is normal for this type of material.

5) Why is it so important to seal cracks?
Water is the enemy to asphalt and the base that supports it. Water seeping into cracks will cause further problems during the freeze/thaw process.This will lead to further cracking, large broken areas and potholes!

6) Some of the hot pour crack filler pulled up! What should I do?
Hot pour crack filler can sometimes pull up as a result of parking directly on it with the hot tires of a car that has just come to rest. The hot tires can re-heat the crack filler, which then re-cools, adhering to the tire. When the vehicle is later moved, a small portion of the hot pour crack filler pulls up and away with the tire. Although this is a rare occurrence, there is not much that can be done to prevent it except to attempt not to park directly on the hot pour crack filler while the tires of your vehicle are still hot.