🛠️ Asphalt Sealcoating & Crack Filling 101: What Every Property Owner Should Know

Asphalt Sealcoating & Crack Filling 101: What Every Property Owner Should Know

If you've ever noticed little cracks creeping across your driveway or parking lot and wondered what to do about them, you're not alone. Understanding how asphalt behaves, and how to care for it, can save you thousands in repairs and extend the life of your surface by years.

Here’s what you need to know about crack filling, sealcoating, and when it’s time for something more serious.

🌞 First, What Is Sealcoating?

Sealcoating is a thin layer of protective material (usually coal tar or asphalt emulsion) that is applied over your existing asphalt surface. It acts like sunscreen for your pavement, shielding it from UV rays, water, oil, and oxidation that can cause it to break down over time.

Sealcoating:

• Restores that rich black finish

• Protects against surface damage

• Should be done every 2–3 years

  
  

But here’s the catch: sealcoating doesn’t fill cracks. That’s where crack filling comes in.

🕳️ What Is Crack Filling?

Crack filling is exactly what it sounds like, filling narrow cracks that appear in your asphalt before they get worse. These cracks are typically caused by water intrusion, freeze-thaw cycles, heavy traffic, or simple aging.

We use a rubberized hot-pour sealant to fill and seal cracks, which keeps water and debris from getting in and making the crack grow.

📏 How Big Is Too Big?

Great question! Industry standards recommend crack filling for cracks up to about 1 inch wide (typically ¼" to 1"). Once cracks get wider than that, or start forming networks of cracks (called alligator cracking), they can’t be filled effectively and require more extensive repair.

🔧 What If My Cracks Are Too Big?

When a crack is too wide or deep to fill, it’s no longer a surface problem, it’s a structural one. Here are your best repair options:

1. Remove & Replace

This involves cutting out the damaged section, fixing the base if needed, and laying down fresh asphalt. It’s the best option when the underlying foundation has failed.

2. Trenching

This is a method used when deeper cracks are concentrated along joints or utility trenches. We remove a narrow section and replace it to match the surrounding grade and structure.

3. Infrared Heats

When damage begins to form a pothole or large surface break, infrared repair is the most economical and seamless solution. We heat the area to rework the existing asphalt, then blend in new material. It's quick, efficient, and helps extend the life of your surface without full replacement.

🚧 When Should I Crack Fill or Sealcoat?

• If your asphalt is 2–3 years old and still in decent shape, start a sealcoating and crack fill maintenance routine.

• If you’re seeing long or wide cracks, crumbling edges, or signs of a pothole, call a pro ASAP. Early intervention is almost always more affordable than waiting.

  
  

💬 Final Thoughts

Whether it’s a tiny crack or a full-blown pothole, there’s a solution, and it starts with understanding what your asphalt is telling you.

At Colorado Asphalt Works and Bella Asphalt Maintenance, we specialize in helping property owners like you protect their investment and make smart, cost-effective decisions about repairs.

📞 Need a free evaluation or quote? Give us a call 970-380-2879, we’re here to help you crack the code on asphalt care.