Commercial Paving for the greater Chicagoland and Midwest Area!

Commercial Paving for the greater Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana Area!

Asphalt Crack Sealing or Filling? Black Hawk Paving & Construction

Although asphalt pavements are extremely durable, even the best asphalt will eventually crack. Leaving cracks unrepaired can reduce the life of the pavement by as much as 67%. Water entering through cracks can inflict so much damage on the pavement’s foundation that the only way to correct the problem is to remove and rebuild the pavement. Water is bad enough, but the trapped water will freeze in the winter, and the expanding ice will intensify the damage. Many property managers and business owners, however, are not sure whether they should hire a contractor to perform asphalt crack sealing or crack filling.

Is Asphalt Crack Sealing the Same Thing as Sealcoating?

Although sealcoating is sometimes referred to as asphalt sealing, asphalt crack sealer is very different from a sealcoat. Most Chicago paving contractors classify sealcoating as a preventive maintenance procedure, but they consider both crack sealing and crack filling as restorative routine maintenance procedures. In other words, sealcoating is meant to help prevent cracks from forming, and filling and sealing are asphalt crack repair methods to take care of cracks that have already formed.

Is Asphalt Crack Sealing the Same Thing as Asphalt Crack Filling?

The terms are nearly identical, and either method can repair a crack so that water cannot intrude. However, there are some differences, and the most important one is that the methods use different products. Asphalt crack sealer is a strong, pliable material that can flex with temperature changes and loads without breaking its bond with the pavement. This is an important consideration for Chicago paving that is subjected to radical temperature fluctuations on a regular basis. Asphalt crack filler hardens as it cures, becoming rigid and inflexible. Since asphalt filler cannot expand or contract to keep pace with the actions of the pavement, the bond between the filler and the pavement can break, leaving an area exposed to water infiltration. Typically, an asphalt paving company will describe crack filling as a temporary asphalt crack repair method and crack sealing as a permanent repair method.

Asphalt Crack Sealing or Filling? Chicago Paving Companyg

Which Asphalt Crack Repair Method Should I Choose?

Most reputable contractors have both filling and sealing in their paving services toolboxes. To recommend which of the two methods is best for you, they will first assess your pavement to determine the extent of the damage. They will also want to determine whether a crack is active or inactive. Because asphalt crack filler cannot move when the pavement moves, it is not typically used to repair active cracks. Fortunately, almost every type of crack can be repaired with asphalt crack sealer. Although crack sealing may cost a little more, it is often more economical; you may never need to have the same crack sealed again. This is not the case with crack filling; you could wind up having the same crack or cracks filled every year throughout the pavement’s life. The critical point that you need to remember is that any repair that prevents water infiltration is better than no repair. Therefore, even a temporary repair now can help you prevent a costlier repair later.

Contact the Pros at Black Hawk Paving

Since opening our doors in 1975, we have earned an impeccable reputation for workmanship, customer satisfaction, integrity, and creativity. Black Hawk Paving offers an extensive range of paving services, including asphalt crack repair, asphalt paving, parking lot striping, asphalt milling, sealcoating, excavation, concrete work, site grading, asphalt fabric, parking lot signs and car stops, sewer repair, and pavement marking. We serve industrial and commercial clients throughout the greater Chicagoland area. If you are interested in receiving a free quote, you can use our online request form, or you can send an email to Info@BlackHawkPaving.com. If you prefer to call us, our number is 708-419-3028, or you can call 773-378-2390 or 847-240-2560.