Difference Between Hot-Pour Crack vs. Cold-Pour Crack Sealer

Dealing with a crack in pavement? Two options you have for filling it are hot-pour crack and cold-pour crack sealant. These are both sealants designed to seal and protect a crack, but they're applied differently and have different types of cracks they're better or worse at fixing. To help you decide which sealant is better for your next fill, here's what you need to know about the differences between hot and cold crack repair.

How Hot-Pour Crack Sealer Works

So, what's the deal with hot-pour crack sealer? This type of sealant is a solid, rubberized material that you melt down before application. You'll need specialized equipment, like a hot-pour melter, to heat the sealer to the right temperature, which is around 400°F.

Once it's melted into a liquid, you pour it directly into the crack. As it cools, the sealant bonds tightly to the asphalt to create a flexible and waterproof barrier. This flexibility allows it to expand and contract with the pavement as temperatures change, which prevents new cracks from forming around the repair.

How Cold-Pour Crack Sealer Works

If heating sealant to 400°F sounds like a bit much, you might prefer a cold-pour crack sealer. This sealant comes as a ready-to-use liquid, so you can apply it straight from the container without any heating. You just pour it into the crack and let it cure. It's a much simpler process.

Cold-pour sealers are typically made from an asphalt emulsion or polymer-modified asphalt. After you apply it, the sealant hardens as it dries. While it fills the gap and prevents water from seeping in, it's generally less flexible than its hot-pour counterpart.

Deciding on Your Sealant

So which sealant should you reach for? This really comes down to the type of crack you're dealing with.

Hot-pour sealer is better if:

• You're dealing with larger, active cracks (wider than half an inch) that expand and contract.
• The pavement is in a high-traffic area that requires a durable, long-lasting solution.
• You need a repair that can withstand extreme temperature fluctuations.

Cold-pour sealer is better if:

• You have smaller, more static cracks (less than half an inch wide).
• The repair area sees minimal traffic, like a residential driveway.
• You're looking for a quick, straightforward fix without needing special equipment.

Now that you understand the differences between hot-pour crack and cold-pour crack sealant, you can choose the one that will work effectively on the type of crack you need to fill.

At NAC Supply, we have everything you need to repair pavement cracks of all widths, lengths, and depths, including the crack filling equipment itself and the sealant to fill it with. Check out our selection of machines, direct fire crack filler, and cold pour crack filler and stock up for future projects.