The cheapest repair you'll ever make
Every crack in your asphalt is a path for water. In Edgewood's climate that water freezes overnight, expands, and pries the crack wider — then thaws, carries fine material out of the base, and repeats. Do nothing for a couple of winters and a quarter-inch crack becomes broken pavement and potholes. Sealing cracks while they're small costs a fraction of patching or replacing the pavement later.
How we seal cracks
- Clean the crack. Weeds, dirt and loose material are removed and the crack is blown out with compressed air. Sealant won't bond to dust.
- Rout wider cracks if needed. On some cracks we cut a clean reservoir so the sealant has a uniform channel to bond to.
- Apply hot-pour sealant. We use a heated, rubberized sealant that stays flexible through freezing nights and hot afternoons, moving with the pavement instead of popping out.
- Finish. The sealant is squeegeed flush or banded slightly over the crack, and sand can be applied where foot traffic is heavy.
What crack sealing can and can't fix
- Good for: individual cracks roughly 1/4 inch to 1 inch wide — longitudinal cracks, transverse cracks, and cracks along edges and joints.
- Not a fix for: alligator (spiderweb) cracking, sunken areas or potholes. Those mean the base has failed, and the area needs patching or full-depth repair.
Best timing
Crack sealing works best in spring and fall when cracks are at a middle width — not fully closed by summer heat or stretched open by winter cold. It's also the essential first step before sealcoating or an overlay.
Private roads and HOAs: Crack sealing is the most cost-effective maintenance for shared roads in East Mountain subdivisions. Ask us about a maintenance plan that spreads work over several seasons.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between crack sealing and crack filling?
Crack filling usually uses a cheaper, less flexible material just to fill the void. Crack sealing uses a hot-applied rubberized sealant designed to flex with temperature changes and keep water out longer — which is what our climate demands.
How long does crack sealant last?
Professionally applied hot-pour sealant commonly lasts several years. Cracks should be checked every year or two and resealed as new ones appear.
Can I use store-bought crack filler?
It can help in a pinch, but most pourable consumer fillers aren't as flexible and tend to shrink or pop out after a winter or two at our elevation.
Keep reading
Sealcoating
Protective sealcoat that blocks UV and water and restores a deep black finish.
Learn more →Asphalt Repair & Patching
Full-depth patches for potholes, alligator cracking, sunken spots and crumbling edges.
Learn more →Private Road Paving
Paving, chip seal and millings for shared easements, subdivision roads and long rural drives.
Learn more →