Last updated: April 2026 · By the Marcil Team Inc., Sherrington (Quebec)
Who this glossary is for: residential homeowners, building managers, condominium administrators, and anyone who receives a crack sealing quote and isn’t necessarily familiar with the technical jargon. We’ve gathered the 25 most common terms you’ll encounter, with plain-language definitions and links to our more in-depth articles when a topic warrants further reading.
A — C
Alligator cracking
A pattern of interconnected cracks resembling alligator skin that appears on an asphalt surface, typically a sign of subbase failure rather than simple surface aging. These areas must be excavated and rebuilt — basic crack sealing alone cannot stop them.
Air compressor (cleaning with)
The use of a high-pressure compressor to blow out cracks before applying sealant. This step is critical: without thorough cleaning, the sealant will not bond properly to the crack walls and will fail within months.
Bitumen
A naturally occurring petroleum-derived binder used to bind aggregates together to form asphalt. Bitumen gives asphalt its black colour and elasticity. It oxidizes slowly under sunlight and loses its properties over the years, making the pavement increasingly brittle.
Bitumen-polymer sealant
A blend of bitumen and elastomeric polymers (SBS type) used as a high-quality hot-applied sealant. Unlike straight bitumen, it remains flexible at very low temperatures (down to -30 °C) and can stretch 400 to 500% of its thickness without breaking. It is the basis of all MTQ 14501-approved sealants.
Curb (parking lot)
The transition between the asphalt surface and the adjacent ground, often formed by a concrete-asphalt joint or simply the edge where asphalt meets grass or soil. This is a weak point in any paved surface, particularly vulnerable to snow removal damage and water infiltration.
Application wand
A handheld tool connected by a heated hose to the melter-applicator, used by the technician to inject hot sealant into cracks under controlled pressure. The precision of the wand determines the visual and technical quality of the finished joint.
Propane torch (heating with)
A propane gas torch used to heat the lips of a crack before applying sealant. This step, often skipped by lower-end contractors, evaporates residual moisture and warms the substrate, ensuring optimal mechanical adhesion of the sealant to the existing pavement.
Crafco 522
The trade name of the most widely used hot-applied polymer-modified bitumen sealant on Quebec roads, approved under MTQ 14501 and the standard product of the Ministry of Transportation. See our full guide on Crafco 522.
D — H
Drainage (surface)
The ability of a parking lot to channel rainwater and snowmelt toward catch basins and low points. Poor drainage encourages water to pool in cracks and significantly accelerates pavement deterioration during winter.
Asphalt emulsion
A mixture of bitumen and water used as a tack coat during paving or patching work. Not to be confused with cold-pour tube sealants, which are also emulsions but are far more diluted and less durable.
Crack (classification)
- Hairline crack: less than 2 mm wide — not yet urgent to treat
- Active crack: 2–8 mm — should be sealed as a preventive measure
- Wide crack: 8–15 mm — requires a suitable sealant product
- Crevice: more than 15–20 mm — requires patching before sealing
Melter-applicator (double-jacketed)
A piece of job-site equipment that heats solid sealant blocks to their application temperature (typically 185–200 °C). The “double-jacketed” model uses a thermal oil bath between the heat source and the product to prevent direct combustion, which would degrade the sealant’s properties.
Freeze-thaw (cycle)
The alternation between above- and below-freezing temperatures, which occurs 60 to 90 times per year in the Monteregie region. Each cycle moves the asphalt and any water trapped in cracks, causing them to spread progressively. See our article on freeze-thaw damage.
HL3 / HL8
Quebec designations for hot-mix asphalt based on aggregate gradation. HL3 is the most commonly used mix for residential and commercial parking lots. HL8, which has a coarser aggregate, is reserved for base courses or heavy-duty applications.
I — P
Diagnostic inspection
A full technical site visit, ideally carried out in spring, that produces a report on pavement condition, drainage issues, cracks, potholes, and intervention priorities for the season. Included in most commercial maintenance packages.
Concrete-asphalt joint
The transition zone between a concrete slab and an asphalt surface, commonly found around residential garage aprons or commercial loading docks. Highly vulnerable to cracking and water infiltration, it requires a high-flexibility sealant specifically suited to the application.
Line marking
The painting of parking stalls, arrows, pedestrian zones, and other pavement markings in a parking lot. Should be redone every 2–4 years depending on exposure to salt and sun. Water-based emulsion paints dry in 15–20 minutes versus 4–6 hours for solvent-based paints.
MTQ 14501 (standard)
The technical standard of the Quebec Ministry of Transportation that defines the performance criteria a bituminous sealant must meet for use on the provincial road network. See our detailed explanation of this standard.
Pothole
A cavity in the pavement caused by the collapse of a weakened area, typically worsened by the combined action of frost and vehicle traffic. Requires hot-mix patching — a simple sealant fill will not last a season.
Oxidation (of bitumen)
The slow chemical degradation of bitumen caused by UV rays and atmospheric oxygen. The result: asphalt turns grey (instead of deep black), loses its elasticity, and begins to crack more readily.
Linear foot (lin. ft.)
The standard unit of measurement for pricing crack sealing work. One linear foot = 30.48 cm of treated crack length, regardless of width. Most contractors charge between $1.25 and $2.75 per linear foot depending on total volume and site accessibility. See our 2026 pricing article.
R — Z
Hot-mix patching
A localized repair of a damaged area (pothole, alligator cracking) involving excavation of the failed section and placement of new hot-mix asphalt compacted in place. More durable than an emergency cold-patch fill.
RBQ (Regie du batiment du Quebec)
The provincial body that issues and oversees mandatory licences for construction and pavement maintenance contractors in Quebec. All professional crack sealing work must be performed by a contractor holding a valid RBQ licence. Marcil Team Inc. holds licence RBQ 5624-8867-01.
Resilience (of a sealant)
The ability of a sealant to return to its original shape after deformation (stretching or compression). A sealant with 60–85% resilience can follow the thermal movement of asphalt without tearing. All MTQ 14501-approved products meet this minimum threshold.
SBS (styrene-butadiene-styrene)
A type of elastomeric polymer used to modify bitumen and create modern hot-applied polymer-modified sealants. SBS provides the low-temperature flexibility that straight bitumen lacks — flexibility that is essential for surviving Quebec winters.
Hot sealing vs. cold sealing
Two technically very different categories of sealant. Hot crack sealing is the professional standard in Quebec; cold sealing is a temporary emergency solution sold at hardware stores that will not hold up through a full season in a harsh climate.
Subbase
The layer of compacted granular material (crushed stone, sand) located beneath the asphalt surface course. It supports the weight of vehicles and ensures water drainage. A failed subbase cannot be repaired by crack sealing — it requires a partial or complete reconstruction of the pavement.
Application temperature
The temperature range to which a hot-applied sealant must be heated for proper application. For Crafco 522: between 182 and 200 °C. Below this range, the product does not penetrate adequately. Above it, the product begins to thermally degrade and loses its properties.
Now you know the essential vocabulary
This glossary covers approximately 90% of the terms you will encounter in a professional quote. If a contractor uses a term you don’t understand, ask them to explain it — a good professional is always happy to break down the technical details for their client. And if you’d like to explore a specific topic in more depth, our blog section contains detailed articles on most of these concepts.
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