Asphalt Crack Sealing or Crack Filling? Orange County Paving

All asphalt pavements will develop cracks at some point during their existence. There are many reasons why cracks may form, including old age, neglected preventive maintenance, overloading, ground movement, and construction flaws. Cracks need to be repaired promptly to prevent additional damage to the pavement as well as the foundation that supports it. Typically, your contractor will recommend either asphalt crack sealing or crack filling. Although they may sound similar, these are two different repair methods, and there are various factors that determine which of the two methods is best for a specific pavement.

What Are the Similarities Between Asphalt Crack Sealing and Crack Filling?

Both asphalt crack repair methods can close a crack so that water cannot enter through the break. Both methods can usually be performed by an experienced parking lot maintenance company quickly and economically. Both methods require a bit of preparation, including removing vegetation or debris from the void, cleaning the crack thoroughly, and smoothing the walls inside the crack. Sometimes, the contractor needs to use a router to make the walls uniform or to create a reservoir for the repair material.

What Are the Differences Between Asphalt Crack Filling and Crack Sealing?

Asphalt paving repair contractors use different materials for crack sealing than for crack filling. Asphalt crack sealer is a rubberized material that remains flexible so that it can contract or expand with the pavement. Crack filler becomes rigid when it cures. The application method is also a bit different. Asphalt companies in Orange County typically allow the crack sealer to extend onto the surrounding pavement for a short distance on either side of the crack, and they may or may not insert the sealer material inside the crack itself, depending on the size, location, and cause of the crack. Usually, when contractors perform crack filling, they keep the filler confined to the crack, but they may extend the filler a bit onto the surrounding pavement.

What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of the Different Asphalt Crack Repair Methods?

Because crack filler becomes hard and rigid, the bond between the filler and the walls of the crack can be broken if the pavement moves. Even if the filler is not dislodged by traffic, water will be able to enter, so your parking lot sealcoating or maintenance contractor will need to repeat the repair periodically. The initial cost of crack filling is less than the cost of crack sealing, but when you add up the expense of having cracks filled repeatedly, crack sealing is usually more cost-effective in the long run. This is especially true if you insist on filling an unsuitable crack. There are some cracks that should only be repaired by sealing them; a filler can break free and be forced out of the crack within a few months. Crack filling is considered a temporary repair, but crack sealing is considered a permanent repair.

What Factors Influence the Decision Between Asphalt Crack Sealing and Crack Filling?

When determining whether to seal or fill an asphalt crack, contractors evaluate the size and location of the crack, its cause, and whether it is active or inactive. They will also look at the age of the pavement and the care it has received to determine the most cost-effective way to proceed. For example, if you are already planning to have your parking lot completely rebuilt in a year or two and just want to keep your pavement functional in the meantime, crack filling may be the right option at the moment.

Let Peterson Grading & Paving Help You Make the Right Decisions for Your Pavement

We are dedicated to helping our clients obtain the most value for every dollar that they spend on their pavements. We are known for the superior quality of our workmanship, our willingness to go the extra mile, and our competitive rates. Peterson Grading & Paving offers a range of asphalt services, including asphalt crack repair, asphalt paving, parking lot striping, warehouse striping, concrete curbing, parking lot signage, marking removal, shot blasting, concrete parking lot construction, pavement markings, concrete sidewalks, parking lot sealcoating, line removal, concrete ramps, parking lot maintenance, bollard installation, and asphalt milling. We offer free quotes, so fill out our online form to request yours today. You can also reach us by phone at 949-402-6979.