Good quality asphalt driveway crack filler

[BigBlue1]

Looking for a good quality product to use for filling cracks in my new asphalt driveway? The simple stuff at the big box stores (in a caulk tube or pourable) never seems to have the coverage or elasticity to deal with temp cycles here in MN. I apply it in the summer/fall and when winter comes the cracks open up and it is essentially useless. Would like a product similar to the thick, rubbery stuff the county puts on the highways, but I understand that is a hot mix that isn't easy to do for a homeowner. My main concern is to keep water out during the spring freeze/thaw stuff that is so bad for damaging driveways.

Rob

 

[Roadworthy]

Check with a reputable local company that does asphalt driveways. They should be able to suggest something.

 

[Rebeldad1]

you shouldnt have cracks in a new driveway. call back the company that did the work and have them do the repair.

 

[Alan W.]

The junk you get at Lowes is useless. Every crack I have filled with it is open again.
The next time I will rig something to use hot tar.

 

[ponytug]

I've never found anything to beat hot tar. You can often rent a pot locally. If it is new and has cracks, I would call the contractor.

All the best,

Peter

 

[Deere Dude]

Lowes has 50# blocks of rubber designed for filling cracks in driveways, especially larger cracks. and stays intact for a long time, years.

Simply get a turkey fryer and a Nesco sized pan, break down and melt the rubber to a good flowing temperature. and fill in the cracks using a pouring applicator designed for that. We sealed all large cracks in our 1200' driveway and maybe 1000 square feet of alligator type cracks 6 years ago for about $400 worth of rubber. $70 for a cooker, a used Nesco kettle and a $70 applicator kettle. Can't forget a weedburner for heating the road where tar will be applied.

My wife followed after me with a ice scraper to massage the tar into the fine cracks. After the cracks showed again we went over most cracks again a few weeks ago but it only took and 4 bricks of rubber. i like it.

A contractor did half the cracks across the driveway for $450 6 years ago is why we decided to try it ourselves. It took a day to go over it all again and touch it up nice. Takes a lot less rubber the second time around.

 

[Alan W.]

Lowes has 50# blocks of rubber designed for filling cracks in driveways, especially larger cracks. and stays intact for a long time, years.

Simply get a turkey fryer and a Nesco sized pan, break down and melt the rubber to a good flowing temperature. and fill in the cracks using a pouring applicator designed for that. We sealed all large cracks in our 1200' driveway and maybe 1000 square feet of alligator type cracks 6 years ago for about $400 worth of rubber. $70 for a cooker, a used Nesco kettle and a $70 applicator kettle. Can't forget a weedburner for heating the road where tar will be applied.

My wife followed after me with a ice scraper to massage the tar into the fine cracks. After the cracks showed again we went over most cracks again a few weeks ago but it only took and 4 bricks of rubber. i like it.

A contractor did half the cracks across the driveway for $450 6 years ago is why we decided to try it ourselves. It took a day to go over it all again and touch it up nice. Takes a lot less rubber the second time around.

Thats what I had in mind. Did not know Lowes had the rubber.
Thanks.

 

[BigBlue1]

Lowes has 50# blocks of rubber designed for filling cracks in driveways, especially larger cracks. and stays intact for a long time, years.

Simply get a turkey fryer and a Nesco sized pan, break down and melt the rubber to a good flowing temperature. and fill in the cracks using a pouring applicator designed for that. We sealed all large cracks in our 1200' driveway and maybe 1000 square feet of alligator type cracks 6 years ago for about $400 worth of rubber. $70 for a cooker, a used Nesco kettle and a $70 applicator kettle. Can't forget a weedburner for heating the road where tar will be applied.

My wife followed after me with a ice scraper to massage the tar into the fine cracks. After the cracks showed again we went over most cracks again a few weeks ago but it only took and 4 bricks of rubber. i like it.

A contractor did half the cracks across the driveway for $450 6 years ago is why we decided to try it ourselves. It took a day to go over it all again and touch it up nice. Takes a lot less rubber the second time around.

Thanks. You don't happen to have a link to those rubber blocks, do you? I couldn't locate any on the Lowes site.

Rob

 

[BigBlue1]

you shouldnt have cracks in a new driveway. call back the company that did the work and have them do the repair.

It's an overlay. The cracks are expected. They are not significant but I want to stay on top of them.

 

[Deere Dude]

Thanks. You don't happen to have a link to those rubber blocks, do you? I couldn't locate any on the Lowes site.

Rob

QPR 50-lb Asphalt Patch​

Item #95025Model #LLF08

Lowes in Columbia, TN has it in stock but others may not. It is great stuff.

 

[lman]

https://www.lowes.com/pd/QPR-50-lb-Asphalt-Patch/3047782

 

[Deere Dude]

https://www.lowes.com/pd/QPR-50-lb-Asphalt-Patch/3047782

My understanding is that this should be applied when it is colder in spring or fall when cracks are more predominant.

 

[BigBlue1]

Thanks!

 

[BigBlue1]

Lowes has 50# blocks of rubber designed for filling cracks in driveways, especially larger cracks. and stays intact for a long time, years.

Simply get a turkey fryer and a Nesco sized pan, break down and melt the rubber to a good flowing temperature. and fill in the cracks using a pouring applicator designed for that. We sealed all large cracks in our 1200' driveway and maybe 1000 square feet of alligator type cracks 6 years ago for about $400 worth of rubber. $70 for a cooker, a used Nesco kettle and a $70 applicator kettle. Can't forget a weedburner for heating the road where tar will be applied.

My wife followed after me with a ice scraper to massage the tar into the fine cracks. After the cracks showed again we went over most cracks again a few weeks ago but it only took and 4 bricks of rubber. i like it.

A contractor did half the cracks across the driveway for $450 6 years ago is why we decided to try it ourselves. It took a day to go over it all again and touch it up nice. Takes a lot less rubber the second time around.

OK, so when I look for a hot tar 'applicator kettle' I mainly find the big trailers and heavy equipment. I assume you're referring to something handheld. Hate to be naive here, but what are you referring to with 'Nesco kettle' and 'applicator kettle'?

Thanks,
Rob

 

[BigBlue1]

Ah, something like this would be the applicator 'kettle'?

Kraft Tool Co. Pour Pot GG961 - The Home Depot

Control the crack damages of your concrete floors with the selection of this amazing and effectively priced Kraft Tool Co.

www.homedepot.com

Or this:

HOT TAR POUR POT

The Hot Tar Pour Pot is specifically designed to pour hot tar directly on the roof or surface. Features 4" wide pour spout and a D-style side handle.

www.jescraft.com

This one looks slick too. More expensive but would be a back saver.

Marshalltown 3 Gallon Crack Filling Pour Pot On Wheels RED704989 For Sale | Asphalt Sealcoating Direct

Asphalt Crack Filling is easy with the Marshalltown wheeled 3-gallon applicator pour pot. If you perform asphalt crack filling services for parking lots or possibly just for your own driveway needs, this Pour-Pot on wheels is a must. This "Wheeled Pour Pot" will save you time and "backache"...

www.asphaltsealcoatingdirect.com

Still not certain what to use for heating on the propane burner. Anyone have ideas on a heavy metal pot?

Rob

 

[oosik]

A local neighbor has a short half moon asphalt driveway. His pot full of tar ignited. I think that's when the fun began.

 

[BigBlue1]

I think I located everything I need for this. Thanks for the tips! Will be nice to have actual rubberized hot sealant to fill the cracks.

And for the "it shouldn't happen on a new driveway" folks:

This is three lateral cracks on a 600' driveway of 3" asphalt overlay on top of the old asphalt. We had over a week of -25*F low temps recently that contracted things enough to cause these cracks. They occurred in the narrow (10' wide) section of the driveway that is elevated above the surrounding terrain, where the cold was most easily able to affect it. It was expected to happen sooner than later.

Rob

 

[ponytug]

Thanks for explaining why you have cracks in a new paving job. Did they use geotextile under the top layer? Using one helps not to transmit stress from one asphalt layer to another, reducing cracking.

As an alternative to hot tar, there is this crack filler from Lowe's which you put in with a propane torch.

All the best,

Peter

 

[dodge man]

My driveway does the same thing, it gets really cold and it contracts and they open up.

 

[BigBlue1]

Thanks for explaining why you have cracks in a new paving job. Did they use geotextile under the top layer? Using one helps not to transmit stress from one asphalt layer to another, reducing cracking.

As an alternative to hot tar, there is this crack filler from Lowe's which you put in with a propane torch.

All the best,

Peter

Thanks for the alternate idea. However, I have the equipment and supplies coming now that should allow me to do proper hot pour crack filling and last me for years. The torch-applied version looks quick & easy but I don't know if it would get into the cracks as well. Anyway, too late to change.

Rob