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Consult with Guardian Seal Coating for your asphalt needs. We can quote on any asphalt project while practicing safe, social distancing. For more details click below.

What Causes Cracks in the Asphalt to Form?

Asphalt is exposed to the sun, rain and snow, and chemicals from oil and gasoline; these all help to wear down the asphalt. The oxidation of the surface causes the asphalt to dry and become brittle; leading to the erosion of the top layer and the appearance of larger stones and small cracks on the surface.

If left untreated these cracks grow over time and eventually allow water to penetrate to the base of the pavement.
Guardian Sealcoating applies crack sealant in all major cracks, to help seal it from the elements, and slow down the deterioration of the asphalt. Although the cracks will not disappear, they will be sealed from the elements, but will reopen over time as the ground shifts.

Do You Need Crack Filling?

Just because there are cracks in your driveway it does not mean that crack fill is the right solution. Crack fill is intended for cracks that stand alone on the driveway. It is not meant to be used as repair in heavily damaged areas. Crack fill is meant for cracks, not broken up or "alligator" cracked pavement. Confused? Let these pictures help determine what should and should not be crack filled.

This pavement above would not at all benefit from crack fill. This pavement is broken up due to the "alligator" or "spider" cracking that creates small pieces of asphalt. Essentially this driveway has been broken in to pieces. The only option for repair is to remove the damaged asphalt and install new material.

Above are some examples of where crack fill would not be used. Notice how the cracks have created broken pieces of asphalt? We will not fill areas such as this. These sections are beyond crack fill. The sealer will fill help fill these cracks, but crack filling will not help.

The crack picture on the left is a good representation of pavement that could benefit from crack sealing. The cracks are large in diameter and they stand alone on the driveway. These are the types of cracks that we will fill. No material will last forever but the material we use gives you best chance for a long repair. Used correctly it is money well spent, as it will help to decrease the deterioration of the driveway.

After Crack filling you will still be able to see the crack, but they will be sealed from the elements.

Cracks that will not benefit from crack sealer

These are pictures of gaps between garages and driveways that people often mistake as something a crack seal can repair. However, this is something that is repaired with a sawcut and removal and replacement of the affected area.
However, this type of gap/crack does not benefit from crack fill. This is something that can be repaired:
Temporarily with polymer sand being placed in the gap. You can do this yourself, or we can provide you with an estimate.
Temporarily with asphalt hot or cold patching (this option is noticeable and will have a different texture as shown below).
Removal and replacement of the affected area, which is the more permanent and correct repair method.