Professional Crack Sealing Backed by a Quality Commitment That Holds Up in Minnesota Winters
Czars of Tar, Inc. backs every crack sealing project with our commitment to quality — a guarantee rooted in using the right materials, the right method, and the right sequence on every job. Crack sealing done correctly is one of the most effective investments in pavement life available to Twin Cities Metro property owners. Done incorrectly — with dirty cracks, the wrong filler product, or poor overband technique — it fails before the first hard winter is over. We don’t cut corners on the steps that determine whether a crack seal holds for a season or for years.
Based in Ham Lake, MN, Czars of Tar has been applying professional hot-applied crack sealing to commercial and residential properties across the Twin Cities since 1991. Our 35-year track record in Minnesota pavement maintenance is built on doing this kind of work correctly every time — with fully transparent estimates and zero hidden fees.
Common Crack Problems That Require Sealing
- Working Cracks (Thermally Active Cracks) — Cracks that open and close with temperature changes. In Minnesota, where temperatures swing from well below zero in January to 90°F in summer, working cracks move significantly. These require a flexible, hot-applied rubberized sealant designed to accommodate movement — not a rigid filler that will fracture when the crack opens in cold weather.
- Transverse Thermal Cracks — Cracks running perpendicular to the pavement surface caused by thermal contraction during cold weather. Common on both parking lots and driveways, these cracks need sealing before freeze-thaw cycling widens them and allows water into the base.
- Longitudinal Cracks at Paving Joints — Cracks that form along the joint between adjacent paving passes, where bonding between sections may have weakened over time. These are prime entry points for water and require sealing before joint deterioration progresses.
- Edge Cracks — Cracks along pavement edges at curb lines, turf transitions, and shoulder areas. Water infiltrating along edges can undermine the base and accelerate edge failure. Early sealing significantly extends the life of pavement edges in Minnesota’s wet spring environment.
- Reflection Cracks in Overlays — Cracks appearing in a newer overlay surface that reflect the crack pattern from the layer beneath. Sealing these early prevents water from bypassing the overlay and reaching the base through the cracks below.
- Pre-Sealcoating Crack Preparation — Cracks must be sealed and fully cured before a sealcoating application. Proper crack sealing is a required preparation step for any sealcoating project — it’s not optional, and skipping it undermines the value of the sealcoating work entirely.
Our Crack Sealing Solution
- Crack Assessment and Written Estimate — We evaluate crack type, width, activity, and extent before recommending a sealing approach. Your estimate is detailed and accurate — no hidden additions once the crew arrives on-site.
- Crack Cleaning and Drying — Cracks are thoroughly cleaned with compressed air to remove dirt, vegetation, sand, and debris. Moisture is blown out as well — hot-applied sealant bonded to a wet crack will fail. Clean, dry crack walls are non-negotiable for a lasting seal.
- Routing When Required — Working cracks and wider irregular cracks are routed to a uniform width and depth before sealing. Routing creates a consistent reservoir geometry that maximizes sealant contact area, improves adhesion, and allows for better accommodation of crack movement. For cracks wider than approximately 1/2 inch, routing is typically recommended.
- Hot-Applied Rubberized Sealant Application — We use hot-applied, rubberized asphalt crack sealant — the professional-grade standard for pavement maintenance. This material is heated and applied in a liquid state that fully penetrates and bonds to the crack walls. Once cooled, it remains flexible across Minnesota’s full temperature range, expanding and contracting with the crack rather than fracturing in cold weather.
- Overband Finish — Sealant is applied in an overband pattern — slightly wider than the crack itself — to create a watertight surface seal that extends past the crack edges. Overband width is matched to crack width and activity level. A properly finished overband is flush, neat, and resistant to snowplow damage.
- Cure Time Coordination — We provide guidance on required cure time before the sealed surface can accept traffic and before sealcoating can be applied. Proper cure sequencing is part of how we plan maintenance projects to deliver complete, lasting results.
What Makes Czars of Tar Crack Sealing Last
- Hot-Applied Rubberized Sealant — Not Cold-Applied Products — Hot-applied sealant penetrates the crack fully and remains flexible at low temperatures. Cold-applied products harden, lose elasticity, and crack during Minnesota winters. Every Czars of Tar crack sealing project uses hot-applied material.
- Routing Before Sealing When Warranted — Routing adds time and cost to the process, but it dramatically improves performance on working cracks. We recommend routing when it makes a material difference in how long the seal holds — not as an upsell, but because it produces a better result.
- Clean, Dry Cracks Before Every Application — The difference between a seal that holds for five years and one that fails in the first freeze is often simply whether the crack was clean and dry when the material was applied. We take this step seriously every time.
- Correct Overband Width and Finish — Overband geometry affects both performance and durability under traffic and snowplowing. Our crews finish overbands correctly — wide enough to create a proper seal, smooth enough to withstand plowing without lifting.
Why Choose Czars of Tar for Crack Sealing
- A 35-Year Track Record in Twin Cities Pavement Maintenance — Czars of Tar has been applying professional crack sealing across the Twin Cities Metro since 1991. We know what holds up in Minnesota’s climate because we’ve been maintaining Minnesota pavement through 35 consecutive winters.
- Exactly What You Ask For — Zero Hidden Fees — Every estimate from Czars of Tar is detailed and honest. You’ll receive a proposal that covers linear footage, routing scope, material, and labor with no additions after the work starts.
- Premium Materials Suited for Minnesota Winters — We use hot-applied rubberized crack sealant formulated for the temperature extremes of the upper Midwest — not generic filler products that don’t perform in our climate.
- Commercial Maintenance Program Partners — As members of IREM, CAI, MHA, MMHA, and MSCA, we work with property managers and HOA boards who need reliable, annual crack sealing programs across single or multiple properties. We understand the scheduling, budgeting, and reporting expectations of commercial maintenance contracts.
- Correctly Sequenced with Sealcoating — Czars of Tar handles both crack sealing and sealcoating, ensuring correct sequencing between the two services. Crack sealing first, curing completely, then sealcoating — in the right order, with the right materials, on a schedule that works for your property.
Crack Sealing FAQs
What's the difference between crack sealing and crack filling?
The terms are often used interchangeably, but technically crack sealing refers to treating “working cracks” — cracks that open and close with temperature changes — using a flexible, hot-applied rubberized sealant designed to accommodate movement. Crack filling typically refers to treating non-working (stable) cracks with a filler material. In practice, professional contractors use hot-applied rubberized material for both. The key distinction is that working cracks in Minnesota’s climate benefit from a material specifically engineered for flexibility.
When in the year is crack sealing best performed?
Crack sealing is most effective when performed in mild temperatures — typically late spring through early fall in the Twin Cities Metro. Sealing in extreme heat can cause the material to bleed onto the surface; sealing in very cold temperatures can prevent proper bonding. The ideal window is when pavement temperatures are between approximately 50°F and 80°F. We can advise on the optimal timing for your property and climate conditions.
How long does crack sealing last?
Properly applied hot-applied rubberized crack sealing typically remains effective for 3–7 years in Minnesota’s climate, depending on crack activity, traffic loads, and pavement age. Working cracks that continue to move with temperature changes may require attention sooner than stable cracks. Combining crack sealing with a regular sealcoating program produces the best overall pavement protection and longevity.
Does crack sealing need to be done before sealcoating?
Yes — always. Crack sealing must be completed first and allowed to fully cure before sealcoating is applied. Sealcoating over unsealed cracks doesn’t seal them — the coating bridges the crack temporarily but breaks through under traffic. Proper sequence: crack seal, cure completely, then sealcoat. Czars of Tar plans and executes both services in the correct order.
Can you seal cracks on both parking lots and residential driveways?
Yes. Czars of Tar performs professional crack sealing for commercial parking lots, HOA properties, retail facilities, and residential driveways throughout the Twin Cities Metro Area. The same professional-grade methods and materials are used on every project regardless of size.
Related Services
Crack sealing works best as part of a complete pavement protection program:
- Crack Filling — Preventive crack treatment for non-working cracks and smaller surface openings
- Sealcoating — Surface protection applied after crack sealing for complete pavement defense against UV and freeze-thaw damage
- Asphalt Maintenance — Scheduled maintenance programs combining crack sealing, sealcoating, and repair for maximum pavement life
- Asphalt Repair — Comprehensive repair when cracking has progressed to structural failure beyond the scope of sealing
Schedule Your Crack Sealing Service
The right time to seal cracks is before water gets in — and before winter turns every open crack into a larger problem. Czars of Tar provides professional crack sealing for commercial and residential properties throughout the Twin Cities Metro Area. Call 763-421-6417 or Contact Us to get your estimate. We serve Minneapolis, St. Cloud, Maple Grove, Woodbury, Stillwater, and surrounding communities — Monday through Friday, 8am–5pm.
