July 09 2021 0Comment
sealing-and-crack-filling

What is the Difference Between Sealing and Crack Filling?

Sealing and crack filling services play a key role in keeping your parking lot well-maintained and avoiding additional damages.

Cracks in pavement surfaces can eventually happen over time due to a variety of reasons. Sometimes cracks will appear due to wear and tear, or they may occur because of water damage. Reaching out to an asphalt company offering parking lot maintenance is always a smart decision in repairing these cracks before they get bigger and cause even more damage to your pavement.

Parking lot crack filling is often used for repair work, while crack sealant is another option for sealing cracks. Understanding the differences between both of these options is important to help you determine the best choice for your asphalt pavement.

Here is an overview of the various differences between using sealing and crack filling services for a parking lot.

What is Crack Sealing?

Crack sealing is always more expensive than crack filling services, but it does offer substantial value because of its life expectancy. Typically, crack sealing can last around eight years or longer, as it’s often considered a permanent treatment for repairing cracks. On the other hand, crack filling will usually last 1-2 years before you need to do additional repair work.

Crack sealing is the most effective way to treat working cracks or transverse cracks that are constantly expanding and contracting each year. Using a crack sealant is especially important in areas with temperatures that are continually rising and falling due to the climate. Using a crack sealant makes it impossible for water or debris to enter through the sides of the crack in the pavement. Crack sealing consists of numerous materials, such as rubberized asphalt, self-leveling silicone, asphalt rubber, and low-modulus rubberized asphalt.

What is Crack Filling?

Crack filling is a more cost-effective option if you are only looking for a temporary fix. Crack filling is often used for non-working cracks, as it begins to lose its effectiveness once the cracks begin to contract and expand. When this happens, it’s always a good idea to reach out to an asphalt contractor to learn the best way to repair cracks in your parking lot.

The temperature cycle in a specific region plays an important role in determining the use of crack filling, as it’s a more effective option used for milder climates with minimal temperature swings. Crack filling is often effective for treating diagonal, longitudinal, and alligator cracks in the pavement. Materials used for crack filling include asphalt emulsion, liquid asphalt, and cutbacks.

Benefits of Repairing Cracks in Your Pavement

Using filling and sealing services for cracks in your pavement is important in preventing small damages from getting much bigger. Staying proactive by repairing cracks can help you avoid more expensive repairs in the future, as well as improve general safety. Using either a sealant or crack filling will prevent debris, water, and other materials from entering the crack and causing additional damages. Scheduling parking lot inspection services each year is a great way to keep your pavement in excellent condition and to further boost the lifespan of your asphalt parking lot.

How to Choose Between Crack Sealing and Filling Services

Understanding the differences between crack sealing and filling is important in helping you determine the best repair method for your pavement. Crack sealing is often the best option because it’s longer-lasting. But not all clients have the extra funds in their budget for these services. In some cases, crack filling is a great choice if the asphalt receives minimal traffic and if the climate remains relatively consistent throughout the year. Comparing the pros and cons of each one of these services is a good idea to help you decide which one best meets your needs.

Reach Out to PLS Today for Sealing and Crack Filling Services

Parking Lot Services (PLS) offers sealing and crack filling in Tampa for a variety of business and commercial property owners. Our company has years of experience in pavement maintenance, as we understand the importance of repairing all types of cracks to extend the life of your pavement. We also offer parking lot striping, ADA compliance services, concrete repair, asphalt repair, and parking lot paving services. Customer satisfaction and providing top-quality services are always our number one priority at PLS.

Feel free to contact PLS today for a no-cost consultation to learn more about our professional sealing and crack filling services!