Hot Pour Crack Sealer vs Cold Pour. Which Crack Filling Product is Best?

When it comes to repairing cracks in pavement, it is important to use the right type of sealant to ensure that the repair lasts. Two of the most popular options for crack sealing are hot-pour and cold-pour crack sealers. Both types of sealers have their own unique properties and benefits, but they also have some key differences. In this article, we will take a closer look at the differences between both options to help property and commercial property owners make an informed decision about which sealer is best for their needs.

Hot-Pour Asphalt Crack Sealer:

Hot-pour asphalt crack sealer is a delivered to the site in solid form. It is then melted down in either a crack fill oven, or in a crack fill melter / applicator to liquid form. It is applied directly into the crack with a pour pot or crack fill applicator machine. The melted sealant fills up the cracks and over the edges of the to thoroughly repair and fill all parts of the crack and prevent further damage. This type of crack filler sealer can be used in a larger variety of locations, such as commercial parking lots, highways, side roads, driveways, main roads, etc.

One of the main advantages of hot-pour asphalt crack sealer is that it is more sustainable, durable, and flexible than cold-pour asphalt crack sealer. It is highly pliable and can be applied in any workable weather condition with very minimal shrinkage, even in cold weather. It can adjust to any and all temperatures and weather, contracting and expanding as the ground freezes and thaws. Hot-pour asphalt crack fillers are always asphalt based which means they have a higher concentration of asphalt mix than water. This profile makes hot pour crack filler the premium choice in Canada because of the large temperature differences we get seasonally.

Cold-Pour Asphalt Crack Sealer:

Cold-pour asphalt crack sealer is a pourable sealant that comes in liquid form in pails or totes. It is poured into a pour pot or crack fill machine, and applied to the cracks cold. Because it is poured into the crack without being heated first, it needs time to cure before the pavement sealer can be added. Cold-pour crack sealers become inflexible once they dry and therefore they cannot expand or contract or adjust to changing temperatures. This product is better suited for annual applications, as it is only a temporary solution.

Because the cold, pourable asphalt crack filler cannot meld with the asphalt around it during temperature changes, it is possible that it will break free of the crack edges, when the ground freezes, and pop out. Cold pour provided a very cost effective solution to filling cracks for short periods of time.

In conclusion, the clear winner for longevity of crack fill repairs is hot-pour asphalt sealer. While cold-pour asphalt crack sealer may be less expensive in the short term, it can end up costing you more money in the long run because it is a temporary solution that needs to be reapplied multiple times. Hot-pour asphalt crack sealer, on the other hand, is a more permanent solution that can withstand changing temperatures and weather patterns. It is a little more expensive than cold-pour asphalt crack sealer, but it offers a much more permanent solution. Ultimately, it is up to the property or commercial property owner to decide which type of sealer is best for their needs. Cold pour comes out on top for shorter term solutions and cost conscious property owners.