Crack Fill Comparison: Which Crack Sealer is the Best?

Crack sealers are a godsend to asphalt owners everywhere. Without it, pavement cracks would expand as the elements take their toll on the asphalt and result in bigger potholes. These potholes need to be repaired, and that could be very costly for you. And if worse comes to worst, you have to repave the damaged area entirely.

But what is the best crack sealer in the market? We checked out four different crack sealer brands to see which product lasts longer, dries fastest, and allows you to save more money. Check it out below.

1. Deery Hot Pour Rubberized Crack Sealer

Pros:

• Can cover up to 200 linear feet per block
• Dries within an hour or two
• 100% professional-grade crack sealer
• Flexible yet firm crack sealer can last up to 4 years
• Can be used to fill cracks in concrete and asphalt
• Versatile — can be applied using direct-fire and oil-jacketed melters

Cons:

• Price is higher compared to other brands

Deery Rubberized Crack Sealer is available now. Get a custom quote for bulk quantities.

The Deery Hot Pour Rubberized Crack Sealer is our favorite crack sealer and with good reason. Each block can be used to fill cracks up to 1" in width in parking lots and driveways, allowing contractors to save money on asphalt maintenance supplies.

It also dries and hardens only after an hour or two after application, so you and your crew spend less time in a single job site and work on more sites during the day. It stays dark and firm even after several years from application, giving your customers more bang for their buck.

2. Flex-A-Fill Hot Asphalt Crack Sealer

Pros:

• Can cover up to 230 linear ft per block of crack sealer (at 1/2" cracks)
• Professional-grade crack sealer
• Can be used to repair asphalt and concrete
• Inexpensive
• Dries within an hour or two

Cons:

• Can be used in direct-fire melters only

Flex-A-Fill is another product contractors can use to fill cracks and joints. One of the product's main draws is that it can be used both to fill cracks in asphalt and concrete, making it a great option for contractors that cater to both types of pavement.

Versatility is its strongest suit as it can be used to repair roads, driveways, parking lots, airport runways, and more. It sets and hardens quickly, so customers can use the area as soon as the product cures.

The bad news is it can only be used in a direct-fire melter, so you might want to explore other options if you use an oil-jacketed crack fill melter.

3. Latex-ite Pli-Stix Blacktop Joint and Crack Sealer

Pros:

• Can be used by contractors and DIYers
• The product can be applied to asphalt and concrete
• Can be applied using a hand-held torch
• One package can cover up to 30 feet of cracks

Cons:

• It doesn't dry quickly
• A single package will not be enough if you have a lot of cracks to cover

Latex-ite is quite a unique product. While the first two products come in huge 30-lb blocks, this one comes in long, thin sticks. Each pack can cover as much as 30 feet of cracks (1/2" to 1" wide).

Application is easy. Simply wedge it inside the cracks and melt it with a handheld torch. No need to remove the plastic wrapper as it melts with the product.

This product, however, is not ideal for repairing deep and wide cracks. And if you are a contractor who needs to service properties in one day, then use hot pour crack sealers instead.

4. Bluestar Flexible Asphalt Crack Sealer

Pros:

• Easy-to-apply liquid crack sealer
• No need to use a melter or hand-held torch
• An inexpensive option for DIYers

Cons:

• Doesn't dry quickly
• Ideal for small cracks only
• Needs up to 24 hours to dry

Bluestar is a liquid crack sealer made specifically to meet the needs of DIYers. The product is stored in a plastic bottle and comes with a resealable applicator for a hassle-free application. Just squeeze the contents into the crack, let it dry, and you're good to go.

It can fill up cracks up to an inch wide but reconsider if you're repairing particularly deep fissures. 

What Do You Look For in a Good Crack Sealer?

Durability and Longevity

Property owners always want more bang for their buck, so durability and longevity should be your top priority when looking for a crack sealer. Before you commit to a specific brand of crack sealer, it's best to learn through trial and error. If you can afford to, trial each brand of crack sealer and see if it can withstand the onslaught of elements, as well as regular wear.

But if you don't have the time nor the money to check and compare each crack sealer's merit, then it's best to ask your neighbors or other asphalt contractors who have used them. Ask them which particular brand they prefer. 

If you're not friends with other contractors yet (we understand that hitting up a competitor about the product they use can be awkward), then join asphalt maintenance forums and Facebook groups online. The Asphalt Kingdom Roundtable is also a fantastic place to get honest opinions from fellow asphalt contractors.

You can also read crack filling reviews online, as well as ask your supplier directly which brand they recommend.   

Cost-effective

As a contractor, you're always on the lookout for products that can save you money. But when buying crack sealer, don't go for the cheapest one you can find. Cheap crack sealers usually don't last long and that can damage your reputation as a contractor. 

We recommend you find the right balance between cost-effectiveness and longevity when looking for the right crack sealer. This allows you to provide fantastic service to your customers, helping them preserve their pavements for longer, as well as ensure that your profit margins are healthy and that your business is financially sustainable.

Versatile

Asphalt repair and maintenance is your priority, but what if you have a customer who wants you to fix cracks on concrete? That's when the versatility of a crack filling product becomes important. If you have customers who want you to repair concrete surfaces, then it's best to get a crack filling product that can be used on both asphalt and concrete. 

Easy application

Another factor you should consider when choosing the right crack sealer is whether you’re using a direct-fire melter or oil-jacketed melter to apply the product. Some crack sealers can only be used in direct-fire melters, while others are formulated for oil-jacketed melters only. The good news is there are crack filling products that can be used in both oil-jacketed and direct-fire melters.

Conclusion

So what is the best crack sealer on the market? Our choice is Deery Super Stretch Hot Pour Rubberized Crack Sealer.

The professional-grade crack sealer stays flexible yet firm years after the product was first applied. If applied correctly, your customer won’t need to have the area repaired year after year, saving them a lot of money in the future. It dries within an hour or two (depending on weather conditions), so you can service more customers in one day and earn more.

Application is a breeze and doesn’t clog your equipment, too. Hear it from one of our customers, Daniel Vander Wal II, owner of Elite Asphalt Maintenance, LLC.

“I’ve used a lot of different crack sealers in the marketplace but the Deery Super Stretch is by far the best quality and easiest to work with my crack sealing equipment. Deery doesn’t chunk up and block my kettle like others do.”

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