Mother nature is your greatest enemy when it comes to driveways. Water can seep through asphalt and cause cracks. Your driveway can eventually look like a deteriorated city street.
Asphalt crack fillers make driveway repairs easy. You can then either topcoat it or leave it alone. Your driveway will look better than ever. We will be covering the top asphalt crack filler products, and how to use them to save your driveway. To add years to the life of your roof, read our review of the top roof cleaners.
Our Top Picks:Best Asphalt Crack Filler Products
There are many options on the market but not all products make the cut. These are the top five asphalt crack filler products that will help you get your repairs done quickly.
Latex-Ite Rubberized Crack Filler
PLI-STIX from Dalton Industries is a well-respected product in asphalt repair.
PLI-STIX is simple to use, and even though it involves multiple steps, it does an excellent job of protecting and preserving your driveway.
The product is free of VOCs and it quickly cures.
A bucket that contains 76.2 meters of rope can be used to treat large cracks. CRACK-STIX is the name of the larger container that contains this product. It is the exact same product, however.
PLI-STIX is applied to your driveway. It moves with you to prevent stress cracks from forming. And because it creates a watertight seal it keeps water out of your driveway.
After you have prepared the area, cut a length PLI-STIX to the desired size, and press it into the crack with a screwdriver. Finally, burn the product into your driveway using a propane torch. The product is self-leveling so the final results will match the rest of your driveway. It takes only 20 minutes to cure.
What We Like
- Affordable
- The same stuff pros use
- Installation is simple and painless
What could be better?
- Re-melts are possible in very hot climates
Red Devil Asphalt Repair And Filler
Red Devils Blacktop Repair is a great option if you’re looking for the best way to repair your driveway.
The caulk tube is familiar and compatible with all caulking guns. The application process is simple: Prepare the cracks and place the tip from the caulk tube in the crack.
It is flexible and can move with your driveway. The watertight seal also helps to prevent cracking and further damage.
It is easy to clean with water after it has been applied. This product is made of acrylic. Unlike other sealants that can get too hot and transfer to the shoes’ bottoms, this one is not.
It can also be used on driveways below grade, which is a benefit, as there are some other useful products that don’t work with driveways below grade.
Although the product appears flexible, it does not seem flexible enough. There is a chance that the product could crack if it is used to fill a crack.
What could be better?
- Product is more brittle than other products
Henry Elastomeric Asphalt Crack Filler
You would think that this stuff was scientifically advanced with a name like elastomeric. This product is a liquid polymer that addresses asphalt repair differently than a solid.
Elastomeric Crack filler comes in 1-gallon containers. This makes it easy to fill a driveway full of cracks. To fill the crack with the liquid polymer, you can stick the narrow end of the bottle to the top.
The bottle contains a mixture of asphalt and rubber polymers. An adhesive is also included to seal the crack. This combination creates a highly effective solution for crack repair.
This results in a product that is extremely flexible and adhesive, which helps prevent water intrusion and further cracking of the driveway.
This product is not recommended for cracks greater than 1 cm thick. It is not recommended for deeper, more severe cracks.
What could be better?
- It doesn’t work with wider cracks
Bluestar Asphalt Crack Filler
Bluestar Asphalt Crack Filler is a great product to use for spot treatment and small-scale crack repair.
The product comes in a 397g squeeze bottle. To use it, simply cut the applicator tip and place it inside the crack. Finally, squeeze the bottle.
It’s also flexible so it can move with your driveway as it expands or contracts. Additionally, it acts as a watertight seal, preventing further damage.
This product is able to handle cracks upto an inch in width, unlike other products that can only deal with cracks upto or below this size. It is only available in a small size, so it may not be cost-effective for larger cracks.
Bluestar can be used on any driveway, provided that the temperature is at least 10 C and no rain is forecast. Keep the product in a warm area before using. It is difficult to squeeze this stuff out of the bottles if it is cold.
What We Like
- Fill cracks up to 3cm
- It is simple to use
- Seals the container tightly and keeps it watertight
What could be better?
- Expensive
Goldstar #315 Cold Pour Crack Filler
Filling cracks in driveways can take a lot of time. Goldstar offers a cost-effective solution that saves both time and money.
The product comes in five-gallon buckets and is designed to be used with pour pots. You can transfer the product to smaller containers if you don’t have a pour pan.
Use a rubber squeegee after it has been applied to smoothen the surface and remove any excess. It will cure and provide a watertight seal, which can prevent future cracking or costly repairs.
The bucket can repair asphalt up to 1,000 feet thick.
What could be better?
- If you’re not careful, it can get messy
Here Are Some Things To Consider Before You Buy
Let’s take a closer look at asphalt cracks and how they can be fixed before you make a decision on which product is best for you.
Why Does Asphalt Crack?
Cracking asphalt can be caused by many factors. Winter weather is the most important contributor to cracking asphalt. However, there are many other factors such as poor installation, tree roots systems, traffic damage, or even tools.
Winter weather is the most common reason for cracking. Your asphalt driveway absorbs rain and snow during the cold season. Because the asphalt can’t expand, precipitation can freeze.
Your asphalt foundation can also play an important role. This is especially true if your asphalt contractor didn’t pack down enough stone substrate before laying asphalt. Or worse, if they used a poor substrate like dirt or sand.
It is possible that trees could grow underneath your driveway if they have many roots. This can push up on asphalt above. Because asphalt is fragile, it cannot account for movement below and cracks.
However, driveways with high traffic can also be susceptible to cracking and premature wear. This is less common than weather-related damage or poor installation.
Last but not least, tools can cause damage. It is common for small chips or cracks that you create in asphalt to grow over time if you use a snow shovel or other potentially harmful tools.
How Important Is It To Fix Asphalt Cracks
Asphalt cracks and pits are not only unsightly but can also cause damage to your project if you apply a top seal.
Top seals are thin layers of asphalt that restore driveway beauty without the need to replace entire driveways.
A solid foundation was required when you first laid your driveway. It is the same for top sealing. Although you may believe that your asphalt surface is perfect and should not be sealed, it is possible.
You will end up in the exact same situation as you are now, with cracks that appear along the same lines as before.
Filling cracks in asphalt is crucial to prevent further damage, even if you don’t plan on top sealing your driveway.
Water can easily penetrate the surface of a crack once it has opened. It can cause damage to your driveway. You will soon find yourself dealing with more cracks than the original cracks.
How To Fix The Cracks
You may not require any additional tools depending on which product you select to repair the crack. Some products can be used to fill cracks in one step, while others may require some extra work.
If you’re using a melt in asphalt crack filler (which is the industry standard and the same product your state DOT uses for filling cracks in roads), then you will need some basic tools to do the job right. You probably already have them.
A propane torch is the first. To avoid potential flameouts, it is a good idea to have an extension cord for your torch. A regular screwdriver, a 5-in-1 painting tool and compressed air are also needed.
An angle grinder can be used to repair driveways with hairline cracks.
The Importance Of Solid Preparation
Your preparation process can make all the difference in asphalt repair. It will determine whether your driveway is crack-free or not.
You will need to ensure that the cracks are wide enough to receive the asphalt crack filler. Also, make sure that the cracks are clean and free of dirt and other debris.
You can use a plasma cutter or angle grinder to make small cracks that are not too obvious to fill.
Use a regular screwdriver, or a 5-in-1 painting tool, to clean out any asphalt, rocks, or debris. To blow out small particles in the crack, you can use an air compressor or a can compressed air.
After that, you will have a clean surface to work on that can bond with crack filler. This will make your repair last a long time.
FAQ
Is Epoxy or Caulk a good option to repair my driveway?
A product such as epoxy or caulk may help to minimize damage to your driveway’s surface, but a product specifically designed to treat asphalt cracks might be a better choice.
A product designed for asphalt will not only protect your driveway better and prevent cracks from worsening, but they also tend to look better than other solutions.
Should I topcoat my driveway after it has been repaired?
Not at all. It is possible, but not necessary, to do so if you have the funds. Sealing cracks in your driveway can improve its appearance and slow down cracking. Top coating your driveway will add an extra layer of protection and give it a new look.
Do you need a blowtorch to repair the damage?
Although burn-in products are the industry standard, there are many products that can do the job without the need to use a blowtorch. Red Devil Asphalt Repair and Henry Elastomeric Crack filler are two examples. The best-respected products on the market are usually the ones that have been burned in.
Q. What is the difference between crack sealing or crack filling?
Crack sealing refers to the process of applying sealant to asphalt cracks to stop water from entering the crack and causing more damage. Crack filling, on the other hand, is the process of filling cracks with a sealant to stop water from entering the crack. It also reinforces the surrounding pavement to prevent any further damage.
Crack sealants are not the same thing as fillers. One method might be better than the other depending on what cracks you have in your driveway.
You can contact an asphalt contractor if you are unsure.
Final Verdict
Sealing cracks in asphalt driveways is the best option to avoid further damage and unsightly cracks. Each of the products that we have discussed today can be used to fix cracks in asphalt driveways, but one product stands out as the best asphalt crack filler.
Our top choice is Latex-Ite PLIX. It is easy to use, it’s the same product transportation agencies and professionals depend on to maintain roads and parking lots, as well as being affordable. Although other products can perform as well, there is no reason to abandon PLI-STIX.
Henry’s Elastomeric Crack Filler is a great option if you are looking for an alternative that doesn’t require a blowtorch to apply. Which one will you choose? Let us know your thoughts in comments.
