Should I use cold-pour or hot-pour for DIY Ottawa crack fill?

For DIY crack filling in Ottawa, stick with cold-pour crack filler for small cracks under 10mm wide. Hot-pour requires professional equipment and is not a realistic DIY option.

Cold-pour crack filler comes in squeeze bottles or caulk tubes and can be applied directly from the container. It's designed for homeowner use and works reasonably well for hairline cracks and small fissures in asphalt driveways. Clean the crack thoroughly with a wire brush or compressed air first, then apply the filler slightly proud of the surface and smooth with a putty knife. For cracks wider than 5mm, insert foam backer rod into the crack before filling to prevent the filler from sinking too deep.

However, understand that cold-pour is a temporary maintenance solution in Ottawa's brutal freeze-thaw climate. Most cold-pour products remain somewhat flexible but will loosen and pull away from crack edges after 1 to 2 winters of expansion and contraction. You'll likely need to reapply every 2 to 3 years. It's best used as a stopgap measure to prevent water infiltration while you plan for more permanent repairs.

Hot-pour crack filling requires professional equipment — a melter/applicator that heats rubberized crack sealant to 375-400°F and applies it under pressure. This equipment costs thousands of dollars and requires training to operate safely. Hot-pour sealant remains flexible through Ottawa's extreme temperature swings and typically lasts 5 to 8 years, but it's not a DIY job.

For cracks wider than 15mm or extensive cracking, neither cold-pour nor hot-pour will provide a lasting solution. Wide cracks usually indicate base failure or significant asphalt deterioration that requires professional repair or resurfacing.

Apply cold-pour crack filler on warm, dry days (above 15°C) with no rain forecast for 24 hours. This gives the filler time to cure properly before exposure to moisture. Plan to do this maintenance every spring after winter damage becomes apparent but before applying driveway sealer.

When to hire a pro: If you have numerous cracks, cracks returning in the same spots annually, or cracks wider than 15mm, the underlying issue likely requires professional assessment and hot-pour treatment or more extensive repair.