Residential service
HOT RUBBER CRACK FILLING IN CALGARY
Stop water before it causes bigger problems. Cracks are how water gets underneath your driveway — and water underneath asphalt is what destroys it.
Why it matters here
HOW A HAIRLINE CRACK BECOMES A $10,000 PROBLEM.
Calgary's freeze-thaw swings do more damage to driveways than traffic ever will. Here's the sequence.
- 01
Water enters the crack
Rain and melting snow run straight into any open crack.
- 02
Freeze / thaw expands it
Water expands as it freezes. Calgary cycles through this dozens of times a year.
- 03
The crack grows
Each cycle widens and lengthens the opening.
- 04
Base material deteriorates
Water reaches the gravel base and washes out support under the asphalt.
- 05
Expensive repairs follow
Unsupported asphalt breaks up. Now you're paying for repair or replacement.
Crack filling interrupts that sequence at step one. It's inexpensive, it's fast, and it is the highest-value maintenance you can do on an asphalt driveway in this climate. Reputable companies clean out the crack first, the fill the crack with pebbles and sand before applying the hot rubber. Done correctly, it lasts more than 5 years, but if done on the cheap the rubber falls into the crack and the cycle begins again.
WHY HOT RUBBER
Hot-applied rubberized crack sealant is melted and poured into the crack, where it bonds to both walls and stays flexible. Asphalt moves with temperature. A rigid filler cracks away from the edges the first cold snap. Rubber moves with it.
- ✓ Bonds into the crack rather than sitting on top of it
- ✓ Stays flexible through Calgary's temperature swings
- ✓ Handles the wide seasonal movement asphalt goes through
- ✓ Cold-pour bottle products from the hardware store don't do this
OUR PROCESS
- 1. Clean out the crack. Vegetation, dirt and old failed filler come out first.
- 2. Fill deeper cracks with pebbles and sand, which keeps the hot rubber from falling into the crack.
- 3. Dry and prepare. Hot rubber will not bond to a damp or dirty crack.
- 4. Apply hot rubber. Melt to the correct temperature and apply into the crack.
- 5. Ensure at least a 2cm band crosses each side of the crack to ensure long-term strength
Honest note: filled cracks stay visible. Crack filler is a repair, not a cosmetic treatment. Sealing afterward evens out the appearance considerably.
Most Calgary driveways get crack work and driveway sealing on the same visit, or request an estimate and we'll tell you what yours needs.
Related services
OTHER WAYS WE LOOK AFTER CALGARY DRIVEWAYS.
Most driveways need more than one thing. Here's what else APC does.
Driveway Sealing
Protect and restore your asphalt.
Asphalt Repair
Repair damaged or deteriorated pavement.
Infrared Asphalt Repair
Seamless repairs using thermal restoration technology.
Clear Coating & Concrete Sealing
Protect, enhance and refresh exposed aggregate, stamped concrete and other decorative concrete surfaces while helping extend their service life.
GET YOUR CRACKS SEALED BEFORE WINTER.
Tell us about your driveway. We'll assess it and send you a straightforward estimate — no pressure, no obligation.