If you want to keep your asphalt looking great, you’ve gotta take care of it. Meet sealcoating and crack filling, the dynamic duo of asphalt upkeep.

They aren’t just fancy-pants ways to add extra curb appeal to your home or business. These maintenance must-dos are here to save your asphalt’s sorry self from sunburn, snow, and those “Ah crap, I’m late again!” tire marks you tend to leave.

Regular asphalt maintenance protects the structural integrity of your asphalt so it looks great and lasts even longer.

Before you toss this to your “eh, maybe someday” pile, you probably want to know one thing: “How long does sealcoating and crack filling last? Is it really necessary?” Well, let’s find out.

What Is Sealcoating and How Does It Work?

Before we just jump into the numbers, let’s get clear on what sealcoating is and why your asphalt pavement needs it. Contrary to what my kids used to believe, it has nothing to do with preparing marine animals for winter.

Sealcoating is great for curb appeal but it also greatly extends the lifespan of your asphalt surface. (We’re talking asphalt surfaces that last 10-15 years longer.) It is essentially sunscreen for your driveway but on steroids. You wouldn’t parade around in the summer with no SPF, would ya? Probably not, unless you’re into third-degree burns.

Sealcoating is your pavement’s SPF 100. It shields asphalt from sun damage, freezing winters, and relentless rubber stampedes. The sealant reduces oxidation and protects it from cracks, potholes, and deterioration. It’s like giving your asphalt a protective armor. Crack prevention? Check. Longevity? Double check.

Types of Sealcoating Materials

The two main types of sealcoating materials are:

• Coal Tar Emulsion: This is essentially coal tar mixed with water. It’s tough as nails but smellier than the inside of your gym bag. It laughs in the face of UV rays, chemicals, and rogue oil spills.
• Asphalt-based Sealer: This is coal tar’s more eco-friendly cousin. It’s asphalt, water and an emulsifying agent. Although it’s slightly less durable, this sealer still offers protection against the elements for your asphalt driveway or parking lot while delivering a pitch-black, good-as-new finish.

For homeowners, a single coat of sealcoating is probably enough. For commercial lots and homes that get a lot of traffic, you’ll need two coats.

What Is Crack Filling and Why Is It Important?

Is your asphalt parking lot or driveway showing its crack again? Time to cover that thing up before it turns into a pothole crater big enough to devour a small sedan. 

Here’s the thing about cracks: they LOVE water, and water LOVES destroying your asphalt. Match made in heaven, right? Wrong. Did you know that water damage is a leading cause of pavement failure? Seal those cracks before this dysfunctional relationship spirals into full-on pavement chaos.

Crack filling, also known as crack sealing, means we apply crack filler to close the gap and prevent water from seeping in there and making the crack even bigger.

Types of Crack Fillers

There are two types of crack sealing materials on the market:

• Hot Rubberized Crack Filler: The most effective, durable type of crack sealant. This material is flexible and can expand and contract with your asphalt.
• Cold Pour Asphalt Crack Filler: The meh option. This inflexible material can’t hang with West Michigan temperature shifts. If someone tells you they are going to repair your asphalt pavement with cold pour crack filler, you should maybe look for a new repair company.

Crack Sealing vs. Crack Filling

What the heck is the difference? Nothing really, fancy synonyms for doing the same thing. 

Some companies say that crack filling is temporary and crack sealing is a more permanent fix. Seriously though, who wants to put a Band-Aid on a crack?  We don’t play around with sensitive areas like that.

Instead, we’ve got a cool machine that does that crack filling, sealing, and repairs all at once. We know there’s no time for Band-Aids when your crack is showing. You want to get it fixed fast and for good.

How Long Does Sealcoating Last?

Sealcoating typically lasts 3 years for driveways and 2-3 years for parking lots and other high traffic areas before needing a refresh. How often you’ll need pavement maintenance depends on:

• Weather: Michigan winters. Enough said. Your asphalt deserves a medal just for existing.
• Traffic: Got a house full of kids, teens that love brake slamming contests, or a home business that makes you feel like your driveway is Grand Central Station? High traffic areas wear down faster.
• Material Quality: High-quality materials and proper application means better protection. If “DIY Sealcoating with Joe Next Door” is in your plans, you might wanna rethink.

At Stripe A Lot, we’ve got the best sealcoating materials and, drumroll please, the one and only squeegee machine in West Michigan. It can repair, fill and seal your asphalt surfaces all at once. Sure, it sounds fancy. That’s because it is.

Give us a call at (616) 772-2559 or schedule your free estimate online and we will even let you watch this beauty in action while we give your driveway a much needed makeover.

How Long Does Crack Filling Last?

Like seal coating materials, crack filler lasts between 2-3 years, assuming you didn’t completely cheap out with the bargain-bin filler. If you want your crack filler to last longer:

• Clean your crack: A dirty crack makes it harder for the crack sealant to stick.
• Don’t wait for the big ones: Wider and deeper cracks are harder to repair.
• Use the good stuff: Remember, no cheapo cold pour alternatives.

Listen, we’ve all got cracks. Sealing cracks is way more cost effective than letting them grow into small craters. A little TLC now will save you from needing to replace your asphalt pavement for a few more years.

When Should You Reseal or Refill Cracks?

If you want to keep your asphalt looking like a blacktop superstar instead of a cracked-up has-been, here’s your cheat sheet:

Signs It’s Time to Reseal

• Your asphalt is looking all dull and faded, like it’s auditioning for a sepia filter.
• Oxidation and surface deterioration are practically winking at you.
• Those cracks from Michigan’s freeze-thaw mood swings are showing up uninvited.

Signs It’s Time to Refill Cracks

• The current crack filler has sunk, aged, and passed its prime. RIP, buddy.
• New cracks are popping up like weeds after a rainstorm.
• Speaking of weeds, they’ve decided to throw a garden party right in your driveway cracks. How festive.

Bottom line? The moment you catch a whiff of driveway distress, call the pros. Delaying repairs is like sticking duct tape on a sinking ship.

How to Help Your Asphalt Last Longer

Asphalt pavement isn’t cheap. A little maintenance goes a long way in helping yours last as long as possible. Here are 6 ways to keep your asphalt happy:

1. Look at it.

Stop ignoring your driveway’s cries for help. If it’s showing cracks, take five minutes to care. Give us a call before it turns into an asphalt deathbed.

1. Reapply Sealcoating Regularly

Every 2–3 years, folks. You wouldn’t skip dentist appointments for that long, so why ghost your driveway?

1. Avoid Water Damage

No weeds, no pooling water, no sprinkler abuse. Your pavement isn’t a garden bed, so don’t treat it like one.

1. Protect Freshly Sealed Pavement

After a fresh layer of sealcoating, your asphalt needs 24–48 hours to dry. It’s a lot like that agonizing 30 minutes you’re supposed to wait for sunscreen to dry. The wait is hard but if you don’t do it, the consequences hurt worse.

1. Call Stripe A Lot

DIY is fun and all, but do you really want to risk your driveway looking like a Pinterest fail? Instead, call Stripe A Lot, crack a beer, and watch your asphalt revert to its youthful glory. 

Rollin’ Out The Cracks

Sealcoating and crack filling might not be glamorous, but they sure beat chucking thousands of dollars into repaving your entire driveway or parking lot. Keep up with maintenance and your pavement will live happily ever after…or at least a lot longer than it would without on-going care.

For all of your asphalt pavement maintenance, Stripe A Lot’s got your back (and your cracks). Call (616) 772-2559 or schedule your free estimate online to get rolling.

How to Choose the Right Sealcoating Contractor

Unlike some crews, we’re not going to roll up unannounced, in unmarked trucks, splash on something out a random bucket, and dash away. Nope, we’ll coordinate schedules in advance and on the big day, our crew will do a great job, use the right materials, and pay attention to the details. You only sealcoat your surfaces every 3–4 years, so we take the time to do it right. That’s how you get asphalt that looks great and lasts longer.

We don’t want you to get scammed, so we wrote a flyer full of warning signs and questions to ask before you hire anyone. You can download it for free.

Tempted to DIY sealcoat your own driveway? You can, but sealcoating your asphalt is not as easy as it looks, and the disappointment level with DIY attempts is HIGH! You end up with cracks that don’t stay sealed. Persistent drainage problems. Streaky color. Toxic trash. A ruined pair of shoes. And heaven help you if you track it in the house! 😬

Give us a call at 616-772-2559 or visit our website to schedule your free estimate. We’re ready to make your asphalt look great and last longer.

Psst: Don’t forget your sunscreen, especially if you’re rockin’ the Speedo.