The relationship: You crack seal first, then sealcoat. Cracksealing prepares the surface by stopping water infiltration. Sealcoating then protects the entire pavement. You wouldn’t sealcoat over open cracks because it wouldn’t seal them properly and the cracks would show through.
They work together but serve completely different functions. Cracksealing is reactive to damage that’s already there. Sealcoating is preventive for the whole surface.
Crack sealing:
- Fills existing cracks with rubberized sealant
- Targets specific problem areas
- Stops water intrusion that causes freeze-thaw damage
- Prevents small cracks from spreading
- Done as needed when cracks appear
- Think of it as a targeted intervention
Crack patching:
- Fills larger, deteriorated cracks with hot or cold asphalt patch material
- Used when cracks are too wide or deep for sealant alone
- Actually rebuilds the damaged area with asphalt
- More substantial than sealing – you’re filling with material, not just rubberized sealant
- Often used for alligator cracking or areas where the pavement has started to break apart
- Permanent repair rather than just sealing
The difference from crack sealing:
- Crack sealing: Small to medium cracks, uses flexible rubber sealant, prevents water intrusion
- Crack patching: Larger cracks or deteriorated areas, uses asphalt material, actually rebuilds the pavement
Sealcoating:
- Protective coating applied to the entire asphalt surface
- Shields pavement from UV rays, water, chemicals, oil
- Gives that fresh black appearance
- Applied on a schedule, typically every 2-3 years
- Preventive maintenance for the whole surface
- Think of it as a protective layer over everything
When you use each:
- Crack sealing for hairline to moderate cracks that are still structurally sound
- Crack patching when the crack has widened, the edges have deteriorated, or the pavement around it is failing
Think of it this way: sealing is like caulking a crack in a wall. Patching is like filling a hole with joint compound and rebuilding the surface.
