7 Truths About DIY Parking Lot Crack Filler: Know Before You Buy
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Parking lots in Metro Atlanta face heavy traffic, harsh sunlight, inconsistent weather patterns, and exposure to moisture, all of which demand repair methods designed for commercial-grade pavement. If you’re considering using DIY crack filler, understanding its purpose and limitations can save you money and time and prevent costly pavement failures down the road.
Below are the seven truths you should know before buying DIY parking lot crack filler, and how to determine whether your lot needs professional attention instead.
Things To Know Before Using DIY Parking Lot Crack Filler
DIY crack filler is typically marketed as an easy cure-all for pavement cracks, but commercial asphalt behaves very differently from residential driveways. Since business parking lots carry heavier loads, more vehicles, and daily wear, cracks expand faster and require more durable materials than most homeowner-grade products can provide.
1. Crack Filler Only Works on Small, Non-Working Cracks
DIY crack filler is only effective on narrow, shallow cracks that don’t expand or contract significantly throughout the year. Commercial asphalt moves constantly due to traffic loads and temperature shifts, so many cracks are “working cracks” that continue to widen or shift over time. DIY fillers lack the flexibility and elasticity needed to handle that movement, causing them to break apart or separate from the asphalt surface far sooner than expected.
2. DIY Application Often Leads to Early Failure
Successful crack repair requires proper cleaning, drying, preparation, and filling technique. If debris, moisture, or loose aggregate remains inside the crack, even in small amounts, the filler will not bond properly. It’s important not to apply crack filler during the wrong weather conditions, over damp surfaces, or without adequate cleaning tools – all of which lead to premature cracking or complete product failure.
3. Crack Filler Does Not Fix Structural Damage
DIY crack filler only addresses surface-level problems – it cannot repair underlying issues such as base failure, drainage problems, or oxidation. If your parking lot has deep cracks, connected cracks, sinking areas, or potholes beginning to form, crack filler will only temporarily mask the symptoms while the underlying problem worsens.
In cases of structural deterioration, professional asphalt repair – not filler – is the only long-term solution.
4. DIY Crack Filler Often Looks Uneven and Unprofessional
A parking lot is often the first thing customers see (unless you’re McDonald’s). DIY filler tends to dry unevenly, form raised lines, or create blotchy discoloration compared to the surrounding pavement. Over time, the filler may track, crumble, or appear rough.
For commercial properties, such as retail centers, office buildings, and apartment complexes, appearance matters. Inconsistent repair work can give visitors the impression of poor maintenance.
5. Crack Filler Is a Short-Term Fix – Not a Long-Term Solution
Even when applied correctly, consumer-grade crack filler typically lasts far shorter than professional hot rubber crack sealing. Most DIY products are not designed to handle heavy traffic, constant turning movements, or the hot Georgia sun. This leads to early breakdown and the need for reapplication.
6. Water Intrusion Continues if Cracks Aren’t Filled Properly
Water is the number one enemy of asphalt. If crack filler does not thoroughly seal the crack, water will seep into the subsurface, where it erodes the foundation and accelerates cracking and pothole formation. DIY filler often pulls away from the edges of the crack as it cures or shrinks in heat, leaving micro-gaps that are big enough for water to penetrate.
7. Many Property Owners Don’t Know When Crack Filling Isn’t Enough
A significant risk of DIY repair is misdiagnosis. Property owners often assume all cracks can be filled, when in reality some require infrared patching, full-depth repairs, or resurfacing. Filling the wrong type of crack not only fails – it can lead to more expensive repairs later.
Without understanding the difference between structural and non-structural cracks, it’s easy to apply the wrong solution and unintentionally worsen the damage.
When DIY Crack Filler Can Be a Reasonable Option
There are limited cases where DIY crack filler may be acceptable for short-term use. If your pavement is generally in good condition and the cracks are minimal, DIY filler can provide temporary protection.
- Early-Stage Hairline Cracks — These narrow, non-working cracks can sometimes be stabilized temporarily with store-bought filler until a professional can evaluate the lot.
- Low-Traffic Commercial Areas — Back service lanes or rarely used loading areas may tolerate DIY filler for a brief period.
- Temporary Repairs Before Professional Work — If you’re scheduling resurfacing or sealcoating soon, DIY filler may help slow deterioration until the project is completed.
DIY crack filler should only be used as a stopgap—not a replacement for commercial-grade repair.
When You Should Choose Professional Parking Lot Repair Instead
Most commercial parking lot cracks require professional repair methods to prevent further damage. If your lot has any of the following issues, crack filler alone will not solve the problem:
- Alligator Cracking — Also called fatigue cracking, this pattern of interconnected cracks in asphalt looks like the scales of an alligator’s skin. It’s one of the most serious types of pavement distress because it signals a failure in the asphalt’s base layers, not just a surface-level problem.
- Potholes — Holes or depressions cannot be filled with crack filler and may require patching or full-depth repair.
- Drainage Problems — Water pooling accelerates cracking and needs grading or drainage solutions.
- Recurring Cracks — Cracks that return after filling suggest deeper issues that DIY products cannot fix.
- Wide or Deep Cracks — Anything larger than a hairline typically needs hot rubber crack sealing.
- Worn or Oxidized Pavement — If the surface is brittle or gray, sealing or resurfacing may be needed.
Professional repair ensures that your parking lot is structurally sound, visually appealing, ADA-compliant, and safe for customers and employees.
Metro Atlanta’s Trusted Experts for Parking Lot Crack Repair and Maintenance
DIY crack filler may seem quick and cost-effective, but it rarely solves the real problems beneath your parking lot surface. Professional crack sealing uses hot rubberized materials engineered to expand, contract, and bond with commercial asphalt. Infrared patching can restore damaged sections seamlessly.
A&A Asphalt Paving has provided long-lasting commercial pavement solutions in Metro Atlanta for decades. Our team evaluates the condition of your lot, identifies the underlying cause of cracking, and recommends the most effective repair method for long-term durability.
Full-depth repairs strengthen the pavement base, preventing recurring failures. And resurfacing can restore an aging parking lot without the expense of a complete replacement. If you’re noticing cracks, potholes, or surface damage, now is the time to act. Contact us today for a complimentary parking lot inspection and repair consultation.
FAQ About Parking Lot Crack Filler
Professional hot-rubber crack sealing typically lasts 3–7 years, depending on traffic levels, weather exposure, and overall pavement condition. DIY crack filler, by comparison, may last only a few months to a year because store-bought materials are less flexible and cannot withstand commercial traffic or Georgia’s temperature swings. Longevity also depends on proper surface preparation and whether the pavement is protected with sealcoating afterward.
Crack filling begins with cleaning the crack thoroughly, removing dirt, vegetation, moisture, and loose aggregate. Professionals use wire wheels, industrial blowers, or compressed air to prepare the crack. Once clean, a hot rubberized sealant is applied, which bonds with the asphalt and remains flexible as the pavement expands and contracts. DIY products skip most of this preparation and use lower-grade fillers, which is why they fail more quickly in commercial parking lots.
It isn’t pointless—this misconception usually comes from people who used the wrong product or applied sealcoat to asphalt that was already structurally failing. Sealcoating does not repair cracks or potholes, but it does slow oxidation, restore surface flexibility, repel water, and extend pavement life when used correctly. The only time sealcoating is ineffective is when it’s applied to asphalt that needed repairs first. When part of a proper maintenance plan, sealcoating is one of the most cost-effective steps a property owner can take.
In Georgia, October is normally still acceptable for sealcoating, as daytime temperatures remain warm enough for proper curing. Ideal conditions require pavement and air temperatures above 50°F with no rain in the forecast. However, late-fall temperatures can fluctuate, so professional contractors monitor conditions closely. In colder climates, October may be too late, but Georgia’s extended warm season typically provides a wider sealing window.