If you've noticed a crack in your asphalt driveway, it's important to repair it as soon as possible. While it's true, that cracks are unsightly, they also open your driveway up to further damage — water will make its way through the crack and damage your asphalt further. Asphalt cracks often widen and spread when they're not repaired since the asphalt is continually exposed to ponding water in the crack.

Thankfully, you can quickly fill small cracks on your own with asphalt crack filler. When you're buying it, you'll have the choice between cold-applied crack filler and hot-applied crack filler. To learn about the difference and to find out which one is the best choice for your repair, read on.

Cold-Applied Asphalt Crack Filler

Cold-applied filler is an emulsified blend of asphalt, aggregate, and polymers that comes in either gallon jugs or caulking tubes. The form that comes in the caulking tube is generally easier to use. In order to use it, all you need to do is insert the tip of the tube into the crack and squeeze it, slowly filling the entire crack with filler. For the form that comes in the gallon jug, you drizzle the filler into the crack and then use a trowel to level it out.

Once you've filled the crack with cold-applied filler, it will begin to cure. You won't be able to use your driveway until it has fully cured, which may take a few days depending on the amount of sunlight your driveway gets and the outside temperature — it cures faster in higher temperatures. As the filler cures, it will bond to the sides of the crack and harden, sealing it from water intrusion.

Hot-Applied Asphalt Crack Filler

Hot-applied filler is rubberized asphalt that comes in stick form. You need to heat it up in order to liquefy it, which you can do with a propane torch. You place the asphalt stick into the crack and then apply heat to it using the propane torch, which turns it into a liquid along with heating up the surrounding asphalt.

This form of filler only takes a few minutes to cure, and the rapid speed of repair is why it's commonly used by professional asphalt repair companies. It also forms a much stronger bond, since it has a higher asphalt content than cold-applied crack filler and it works its way deep into the crack when you're heating it up. As a final bonus, it doesn't become as hard and brittle as cold-applied filler. This allows it to remain pliable even in colder temperatures, which allows it to move along with the asphalt during freeze-thaw cycles — cold-applied filler often breaks apart when these occur.

Which Is the Best Choice to Repair Your Cracked Asphalt Driveway?

Ultimately, the choice comes down to how comfortable you are using hot-applied asphalt crack filler. It's a much more durable repair than cold-applied crack filler, but it's much harder to apply because you'll need to heat it using a propane torch. If you don't feel comfortable using a propane torch (hot asphalt can be quite dangerous), then the cold-applied crack filler is the best bet. While it will fail quicker, it will still perform the vital role of protecting your asphalt driveway from water intrusion.

For more information, please reach out to a company such as Specialty Construction Supply.