At the simplest level, the difference between hot-pour and cold-pour crack sealants is that hot-pour is applied hot and cold-pour is applied cold. However, the application temperature is probably the least important difference between the two types of crack sealants.
Hot-Pour and Cold-Pour Crack Sealants – The Reasons
Hot-pour sealants can be used to fill deeper, larger cracks than is possible with cold-pour sealants. Cold-pour sealants shrink, which disrupts the bond — and the larger the crack, the greater the potential for a quick failure.
Cold-pour products cure by evaporating the moisture in them, so they will not work in lower temperatures when the evaporation rate is insufficient to allow proper curing. On the other hand, hot-pour products can be used when the ground or air temperatures plummet.
Like the surrounding asphalt, hot-pour sealants are flexible after drying. This gives them the ability to expand in hot weather and contract in cold weather without breaking the bond with the surrounding asphalt. The cold-pour products are rigid after curing, and since they lack the ability to expand or contract, the bonds are easily broken. The fill can then be easily purged from the crack, which can sometimes happen the first time the ground freezes. If the repair is forced out, the crack is left unprotected, allowing water to reach the foundation and undermine the integrity of the asphalt, resulting in further damage. Sealcoating jobs are effective with cold-pour and hot-pour.
Because cold-pour applications need less time and equipment, the cost for repairing a crack of similar size is normally less than the cost for hot-pour. However, cracks repaired with cold-pour have a very brief life, so the repair may need to be made repeatedly. Costs therefore tend to even out with time.
Cold-pour is typically used only for residential surfaces although it can sometimes be used for other purposes. However, the majority of government-funded road and street projects as well as commercial and industrial properties require the use of hot-pour crack sealants.
Having your asphalt surface repaired when damages occur is an important part of maximizing your investment. Alpha Paving Industries has the asphalt crack repair equipment- from installing, maintaining and repairing asphalt surfaces. We provide a complete range of asphalt-related services, including crack filling, pothole repair, new pavement installation, sealcoating and pavement striping. Submit our online form to request a free quote, or call our office at (512) 677-9001.
