Crack Filling & Crack Sealing
No commercial pavement maintenance service delivers a better return on investment than crack filling and crack sealing. For a fraction of what repairs cost later, sealing cracks in your Shakopee, MN parking lot today stops water infiltration, blocks freeze-thaw damage, and can extend the life of your commercial pavement by years. Plehal Blacktopping, LLC has helped commercial property managers and facility directors across the Twin Cities protect their pavement investment through professional crack treatment since 1949. Small cracks become big problems fast in Minnesota — the time to seal them is now, not after next winter.
Common Crack Problems on Commercial Pavement
Cracks in commercial asphalt are inevitable — Minnesota’s temperature extremes guarantee it. The key is addressing them while they’re still manageable:
- Longitudinal Cracks — Cracks running parallel to the direction of paving, often caused by thermal cycling or lane joint failures
- Transverse Cracks — Cracks running perpendicular to paving direction, typically caused by temperature contraction and pavement aging
- Edge Cracks — Cracking along lot perimeters where drainage issues and lack of lateral support weaken the pavement
- Reflective Cracks — Cracks that mirror existing joint or crack patterns from underlying layers through newer overlay surfaces
- Block Cracking — A pattern of interconnected rectangular cracks caused by oxidized, inflexible asphalt binder — an early warning sign requiring prompt attention
Our Crack Treatment Solutions
We use the appropriate treatment for the specific crack type — not a one-size-fits-all approach. The right method depends on crack width, movement characteristics, and the overall condition of surrounding pavement:
- Hot-Pour Crack Filling — Rubberized hot-pour sealant is applied to clean, dry cracks to fill and seal against water entry — appropriate for stable, non-working cracks
- Routed Crack Sealing — Cracks are first routed to create a clean, uniform reservoir, then filled with rubberized hot-pour material — the highest-performance method for moving, working cracks subject to thermal expansion and contraction
- Crack Cleaning — Compressed air and wire brushing remove debris and loose material from crack walls before sealing to maximize adhesion
- Band-Aid Method — For wider cracks or spalled edges, a wider sealing application protects the area around the crack in addition to the crack itself
What Makes Our Crack Treatment Last
Crack sealing that fails within a season is worse than no sealing — it gives a false sense of security while water continues to infiltrate at the edges of a failed seal. Here’s how we make sure it sticks:
- Thorough Cleaning First — All cracks are blown out with compressed air and wire-brushed to remove vegetation, dirt, and loose material before any sealant is applied
- Dry Surface Requirement — We don’t seal wet cracks; moisture prevents sealant adhesion and causes premature failure
- Correct Sealant Temperature — Hot-pour rubberized sealant is applied at the manufacturer-specified temperature range for proper flow and adhesion
- Routing for Working Cracks — When cracks are actively moving with temperature changes, we route before sealing to create the correct reservoir depth-to-width ratio for long-term flexibility
Why Choose Plehal Blacktopping
- More Than 75 Years of Twin Cities Service — Commercial crack sealing expertise developed across decades of Minnesota winters
- BBB A+ Accredited Since 1976 — Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota recognition earned through consistent quality
- Largest Asphalt Company in the Area — Efficient scheduling and crew capacity to complete crack treatment projects across the full Twin Cities Metro
- Preventive Mindset — We treat crack sealing as pavement preservation, not just cosmetics — the goal is protecting your base from water
- Full Metro Service Area — Shakopee, Hopkins, St. Louis Park, Richfield, Edina, Minneapolis, and throughout the Twin Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between crack filling and crack sealing?
Crack filling uses sealant to fill stable cracks that don’t experience significant movement. Crack sealing uses a routed reservoir and flexible rubberized material designed to accommodate the expansion and contraction that working cracks experience through temperature cycles. We’ll recommend the right approach for your pavement.
Is crack sealing worth it if my lot is already in poor shape?
If widespread structural failure is already present, crack sealing won’t reverse the damage — at that stage, repair or resurfacing is likely the more appropriate investment. For lots with surface cracking but a structurally sound base, crack treatment absolutely pays for itself in delayed repair costs.
Related Services
Crack treatment works best as part of a complete pavement maintenance program:
- Sealcoating — Applied after crack sealing for a complete surface protection treatment that extends pavement life
- Asphalt Maintenance — Scheduled preventive maintenance programs that include crack sealing on a regular cycle
- Asphalt Repair — When cracks indicate deeper structural issues, our repair services address the root cause
- Asphalt Patching — For areas where cracks have progressed beyond sealing to full-depth failure
Schedule Your Crack Treatment Today
Plehal Blacktopping, LLC provides professional crack filling and crack sealing for commercial properties throughout Shakopee, MN and the Twin Cities Metro. Protecting your pavement investment with timely crack treatment is the smartest maintenance dollar you can spend. Call (952) 445-7676 or Contact Us to get your free estimate.
