Last updated: April 2026 · By L’Équipe Marcil inc, Sherrington (Quebec)
Quick summary: hot-applied sealant is almost always the right choice for any paved surface larger than 50 m² in Quebec. Cold sealant sold in tubes or pails at hardware stores lasts only one winter and ends up costing more in the medium term. If you own a driveway with more than 100 linear ft of cracks, or manage any commercial parking lot, the math isn’t even close — hot crack sealing wins every time.
This article explains why, in detail, by comparing both techniques across seven criteria: chemical composition, application method, cure time, durability in Quebec’s climate, unit cost, total cost over 10 years, and environmental impact. If you want to make an informed decision before signing with a contractor — or before buying tubes of sealant at Rona — read to the end.
What is hot-applied crack sealant?
Hot-applied bituminous sealant is a thermoplastic product made up of three main components: bitumen (50–70 % of the mass), elastomeric polymers — typically styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) or finely ground recycled rubber — and stabilizing agents that regulate viscosity and oxidation resistance. The product is delivered to contractors as solid blocks weighing approximately 15 kg each, in boxes lined with a release film.
The sealant is melted on-site in a double-boiler melter — a piece of job-site equipment that resembles a small trailer-mounted boiler — heated to approximately 185–200 °C. The double-wall design prevents direct contact between the flame and the product, which would cause it to burn and lose its elastomeric properties. Once liquid, the sealant is pumped through an application wand and injected directly into the crack, which has been pre-cleaned and heated.
As it cools, the sealant forms a flexible seal that remains pliable at -30 °C, is 100 % waterproof, and can stretch up to 500 % of its original thickness without breaking. This elasticity is what allows it to follow the thermal movement of asphalt without cracking itself, year after year.
What is cold crack sealant?
Cold sealants are ready-to-use asphalt emulsions, sold in caulking tubes (300 ml) or pails of 4 to 20 litres at most hardware stores in Quebec. Their composition revolves around three elements: bitumen emulsified in water (the emulsion keeps the product liquid at room temperature), a thixotropic agent to prevent it from running, and sometimes a few fibres or aggregate for visual texture.
Application requires no special equipment — a caulking tube, a trowel, or simply a piece of cardboard to smooth it out. The product cures by water evaporation in a few hours to a few days depending on ambient temperature and humidity. This drying mechanism is precisely what causes most of the problems.
The comparison table
| Criterion | Hot-applied sealant | Cold sealant |
|---|---|---|
| Composition | Bitumen + SBS polymers | Bitumen-water emulsion |
| Equipment required | Melter, wand, propane torch, compressor | Caulking tube |
| Crack penetration | Full (pumped under pressure) | Surface only |
| Cure time | 30 min (cooling) | 24–72 h (water evaporation) |
| Elasticity at -30 °C | Retained (stays flexible) | Lost (becomes brittle) |
| Lifespan in Quebec | 3 to 7 years | 6 to 18 months |
| Unit cost | $1.25 – $2.75 / linear ft | $0.40 – $0.80 / linear ft |
| Cost over 10 years (100 ft) | ~$350 (2 applications) | ~$600 (10 applications) |
Why cold sealant fails so quickly in Quebec
The main reason is physical. In Quebec, asphalt undergoes an average of 60 to 90 freeze-thaw cycles per year — even more in agricultural regions exposed to strong winds, such as the Jardins-de-Napierville Regional County Municipality (MRC). Each cycle moves the asphalt by several millimetres. A crack that measured 4 mm in the morning can open to 6 or 7 mm in the afternoon.
Cold sealant, once dried, is a relatively rigid material. It only stretches about 10 to 20 % of its thickness before breaking. By the first winter, freeze-thaw cycles stretch the joint well beyond this limit, and the sealant splits lengthwise along the crack. Water seeps back in as before, and the owner finds themselves redoing the work the following spring.
Hot-applied sealant, on the other hand, retains its SBS elasticity even at -30 °C. It stretches and contracts with the crack without breaking. This is the fundamental difference between a rigid plastic and an elastic band — and it is precisely why the Quebec Ministry of Transportation (MTQ) requires hot-applied sealant on its entire provincial road network.
The 10-year economic calculation
Let’s take a typical residential driveway with 100 linear ft of cracks to treat.
Option A — Hot-applied sealant by a professional contractor: approximate cost of $250–$350 per application (minimum site visit included), average lifespan of 5 years. Over 10 years, that means 2 applications. Total cost: $500–$700.
Option B — Cold tube sealant applied yourself: material cost of approximately $60 per application (8 tubes at $7.50), average lifespan of one year. Over 10 years, the work must be redone 10 times. Total cost: $600 + 40 hours of personal time.
Even counting only material costs, the assumed savings of cold sealant evaporate by year seven. And if you value your time at just $25 an hour, the 40 cumulative hours of work add $1,000 to the real cost, making hot-applied sealant nearly three times cheaper over 10 years.
When does cold sealant still have a place?
Two scenarios:
- Winter emergency. If a crack opens suddenly in February and hot-mix asphalt plants are closed, a temporary cold sealant patch can prevent water from seeping in for a few weeks. The work is then redone properly in the spring.
- Isolated micro-cracks. One or two cracks smaller than 2 mm on a recently built residential driveway can be managed with a caulking tube, provided you accept doing it again every year.
In all other cases — commercial parking lots, condominiums, long residential driveways, municipalities — hot-applied sealant is the only option that holds up economically and technically.
How to recognise a contractor who does hot crack sealing properly
Not all contractors who do hot crack sealing are equal. Here are the signs of a quality application:
- Systematic cleaning of cracks with high-pressure compressed air before application — not just a quick sweep.
- Heating the crack lips with a propane torch to evaporate residual moisture.
- Use of a product compliant with MTQ 14501 standard (Crafco 522, Dynapave or equivalent).
- Melter temperature maintained between 185 and 200 °C — never below.
- Application without excessive lateral spreading (the sealant must form a well-defined joint, not a puddle).
- Written warranty of at least two years on the application.
Need a quote for your crack sealing?
L’Équipe Marcil inc offers free quotes with no travel fees in Montérégie and on the South Shore of Montreal. We use exclusively hot polymer-bitumen sealant compliant with MTQ 14501 standard, applied following our rigorous 5-step process. For a quote tailored to your residential driveway or commercial parking lot, contact us.
Related services
This article is part of our documentation on Asphalt crack sealing. For a free quote in Montérégie and on the South Shore of Montreal, contact L’Équipe Marcil inc at (514) 826-3568.