How To Repair Asphalt Driveways

It is normal for an asphalt driveway to develop some fissures, cracks, and potholes over time. These develop on the driveway due to a variety of reasons. Whatever the reason, it is best make repairs as soon as possible so that the problem will not get worse. Repair work is actually easy even for those who have not done so before. One just has to know the right steps and get the necessary repair materials.

For cracks or fissures that appear on the asphalt surface, one will need a wire brush to remove loose particles, filler, and sealcoat. To repair asphalt cracks or fissures, one can choose between liquid filler and solid hot filler. The former is effective in sealing narrow cracks easily while the latter is more for cracks that have already spread to more than ¼ inch wide. Using solid hot fillers will also require a machine called the melter applicator. As can be gleaned by its name, machine will melt and aid in applying the heated and liquefied solid filler.

Clean the crack of debris or loose material before applying the appropriate filler. Also, check the depth of the crack. Just pour the filler after cleaning to repair asphalt surfaces that have shallow cracks. If the crack is more than half an inch deep, it has to be filled in with sand first before applying the filler. The sand will replace the part of the driveway’s foundation that may have been washed away. Once the crack has been evenly filled, just smooth out the surface using a squeegee, trowel, or shovel. Cure for at least 24 hours before applying sealcoat.

Repairing potholes require similar materials as when filling out cracks. One will also need a piece of plywood and a tamper. The latter is necessary to repair asphalt potholes so that the filler material is tightly packed inside the hole. The tamper can either be a tamping post or even one’s own vehicle. As a general rule, fillers that require heating are best left for professional and large-scale jobs, whether one is filling out a narrow crack or a wide pothole. While easy apply liquid fillers are for cracks or fissures, a product like the Cold Asphalt Patch is recommended for potholes.

To repair a pothole, it is also required to clean it of loose material. Rough edges inside the pothole should also be smoothed out to repair asphalt surfaces effectively. Just like with deep cracks, the foundation has to be replaced with sand. Tamp the sand down before pouring in the filler material. Tamp the filler down as well and apply a second layer of the filler until a small mound covers up the surface of the pothole. Then, oil one side of the piece of plywood and put this side on top of the mound. Afterwards, drive your vehicle over this a few times. Let this cure as well for at least 24 hours before applying sealcoat.

Prevention is better than cure. In this case, to lessen the frequency of repair asphalt driveways must also be properly cared for. One way to ensure that the chances of cracks and potholes occurring are low is to apply an asphalt sealer at least every two years.