What is Hot-Applied Mastic Sealant?
When your paved surfaces sustain damage, repair contractors can employ a wide range of techniques and materials to restore them to their former glory. However, one of the most versatile and long-lasting options is hot-applied mastic sealant. This unique compound can address some of the most common issues plaguing both asphalt and concrete pavements, offering a quick, easy, and cost-effective solution that improves safety, aesthetics, and long-term protection.
What Is Hot-Applied Mastic Sealant?
Hot-applied mastics are polymer-modified asphalt binders. They contain a blend of bitumen asphalt binders, fine aggregates, and fillers, with a polymer content up to three times that of standard asphalt mixes. There are many types of hot-applied mastics on the market today, but some of the best formulations use mechanically engineered aggregates with high-quality polymers that offer superior strength and protection.
Mastics are similar to the sealers that contractors use for asphalt crack repair. However, the use of aggregates makes mastic sealant a better choice for load-bearing surfaces, filling larger voids with ease while also keeping water out.
How Do Contractors Use Hot-Applied Mastics?
Most mastic crack filler products come in solid form, such as bricks. Before using mastic sealant to fill pavement cracks, contractors must heat it in a melter. Double-boiler systems with built-in aggregators help turn the solid product into a pourable sealant by heating it to temperatures up to 400 degrees.
Formulations vary, but most mastic sealant manufacturers require application temperatures of 375 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. After it reaches a pourable state, asphalt crack repair professionals can use the asphalt binder to fill voids and create a smooth surface texture. Hot-applied mastics need time to cool, and curing times depend on the depth of the void. Typically, it takes between 30 and 60 minutes per inch of depth.
Once ready, surfaces are ready for traffic. Hot-applied mastic sealant doesn’t require extensive downtime or surface prep, making it a fast and effective solution to various pavement problems.
What Benefits Does Hot-Applied Mastic Sealant Provide?
There are many advantages to using hot-applied mastics to fill pavement cracks, patch surface defects, and more. Some of the biggest include:
•Structural Strength: The aggregates in mastic crack filler help provide more strength than standard sealers. The polymer-modified asphalt binder is ideal for filling voids too large for standard sealing compounds.
•Superior Flexibility: Once cured, hot-applied mastic sealant remains flexible across the temperature spectrum. It’s pliable in cold weather, resists rutting in hot weather, and moves with the surface to prevent additional pavement cracks.
•Longevity: With proper care, hot-applied mastics offer many years of reliability. The asphalt binder can last a decade or more.
•Watertight Protection: Mastic crack filler forms a tight bond with the pavement, creating a watertight seal. It protects against water infiltration, mitigating the risk of base damage and degradation.
•Easy Application: Like any other asphalt crack repair technique, using mastic sealants requires proper surface preparation. The asphalt binder also requires heating. However, it’s relatively easy to use, requiring only a single crew. Additionally, the material doesn’t need compaction or grading. It achieves 100-percent density after cooling without additional intervention.
What Types of Projects Utilize Mastic Sealant?
Mastic sealants are most often used for asphalt crack repair projects. They easily fill and seal voids, preventing water penetration and the spread of damage. It’s particularly useful for addressing pavement cracks that are too wide for traditional fillers and sealers. However, that’s not the only way that contractors can use the binder.
It’s also a great choice for filling shallow potholes, performing skin patches, leveling thermal cracks, repairing joints, sealing utility voids, and more.
Interested in using hot-applied mastic sealant for your next repair project? HLC Asphalt & Sealcoating is ready to serve. We’re an experienced asphalt company proudly serving the Greenville area. Our team is well-trained to develop solutions that work, using materials like mastic crack filler to mend damage and offer long-lasting pavement protection. For peace of mind, we offer a two-year warranty on all our work.
Our services include asphalt crack filling, sealcoating, repairs, parking lot striping, signage installation, new paving, and more. We also offer free quotes. You can get yours today by calling the HLC Asphalt & Sealcoating team at (864) 569-1241, emailing hlclinestriping@gmail.com, or submitting your information through our online contact form.