Crack sealing is a cost-effective strategy for extending the service life of a pavement that is in good condition. The initial crack in an asphalt pavement is usually narrow with no surrounding distress. Sealing the crack at that time will significantly reduce or eliminate intrusion of water and incompressible material that could lead to further cracking and eventually to pavement failure.

Today's use of high quality polymer modified asphalt sealers combined with proper crack preparation increase the life of the treatment three to five times over the old crack filling method.