I've got a few small cracks in my asphalt driveway — can I fill them myself before winter hits?

Absolutely — filling small cracks before Ottawa's winter is one of the smartest maintenance moves you can make. Water seeping into cracks freezes, expands, and turns hairline cracks into potholes by spring.

Why Timing Matters in Ottawa

Our frost line reaches 1.2 to 1.5 metres deep. Any water that gets into asphalt cracks in October will freeze and thaw repeatedly through November, creating significant damage before the ground fully freezes in December. Aim to do crack repairs by mid-October at the latest. September is ideal — warm enough for products to cure properly.

What You Can Fix Yourself

DIY crack filling works well for cracks up to about 12mm (half an inch) wide. Anything wider than 20mm, or areas where the asphalt has sunk or heaved, needs professional repair. If you see alligator cracking (a web pattern), that indicates base failure — no amount of crack filler will fix it.

Materials You'll Need

• Rubberized crack filler (pour-in style for cracks under 12mm): $12 to $20 per bottle, each covers about 15 linear metres
• Backer rod foam (for cracks 12 to 20mm wide): $5 to $10 per roll
• Caulking-style crack filler (for precision application): $8 to $15 per tube
• Wire brush or flathead screwdriver for cleaning out debris

Total cost for a typical Barrhaven or Stittsville driveway with moderate cracking: $25 to $60.

How to Fill Cracks Properly

Clean out the crack — use a wire brush, flathead screwdriver, or compressed air to remove dirt, sand, and loose asphalt. This step is critical for adhesion.

For deeper cracks, press backer rod foam into the crack leaving about 6mm of space on top for the filler.

Apply crack filler — pour or caulk the product into the crack, slightly overfilling. It will shrink as it cures.

Smooth the surface — use a putty knife or the back of a trowel to press filler flush with the driveway.

Let it cure — most products need 24 to 48 hours before traffic. Check the label for temperature requirements (usually above 10°C).

Common Mistakes

• Filling cracks when rain is forecast — water prevents bonding
• Not cleaning the crack thoroughly — filler pops out within weeks
• Using concrete patch on asphalt — they're not compatible and will crumble
• Overfilling without smoothing — creates a trip hazard and looks messy

Annual Inspection Habit

Walk your driveway every September and mark cracks with chalk. Address them all in one session. This simple habit can extend your driveway's life by 5 to 10 years in Ottawa's harsh climate.

If you discover extensive cracking or base issues during your inspection, it's time to consult a professional. Ottawa Driveways can connect you with experienced asphalt contractors in your area who handle repairs and resurfacing.

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Looking for experienced contractors? The Ottawa Construction Network connects Ottawa homeowners with qualified professionals:

• Homeupgraders
• RenoMotion Inc.
• Callandgone
• Floor-2-Wall Inc
• Alvi Asphalt Paving Ltd

View all contractors →