Crack Seal

Find a Contractor/Supplier

For Pavement Condition

A B
(PCI between 70 and 100)


Cracking in most pavements is inevitable, and if left untreated, can cause massive pavement failure like potholes and sub base failure.  Crack sealing is a cost-effective method to treat all types of cracks greater than 1/8”.  


  1. Crack sealing uses between 13 and 38 times less energy when compared to hot mix paving and uses the least amount of energy per year of extended pavement life at less than 1,000 BTU/yd2-yr
  2. One lane mile of sealant saves the equivalent of one barrel of crude oil when compared to hot mix paving; crack sealing saves resources and energy by using post-consumer recycled tire rubber reducing the amount of polymers and chemicals consumed. Innovations such as box-less packaging, dust control routers, and dust control vacuum systems have further promoted ‘going green’ by eliminating waste and particulate matter in the air typically generated during crack sealing operations
  3. Can be opened to traffic almost immediately (when a de-tacking agent is used)
  4. Extends a pavement’s life around 3 to 5 years

Issues Addressed

Working and non-working cracks (working cracks are defined as cracks which move 3 mm or more) which include:

  • Block cracking
  • Longitudinal cracking
  • Thermal cracking
  • Edge cracking
  • Reflective cracking
  • Transverse cracking

Attributes

  • Slows deterioration
  • Extends pavement service life up to 5 years
  • Lowest cost preservation treatment
  • Provides the most benefit for money spent
  • 75% of unsealed cracks develop into potholes in < 3 years
  • While only 1% of sealed cracks develop into potholes in < 3 years.

Common Combinations

  • Crack Seal + Chip Seal
  • Crack Seal + HMA Overlay
  • Crack Seal + Slurry or Micro