How to Repair Driveway Cracks

Whether you have an asphalt driveway or a concrete driveway, cracks are likely to be a problem at some point. Water that seeps under the driveway freezes and thaws, creating cracks. These cracks usually worsen over time as grass and weeds grow in between them. Some of the materials used to repair asphalt and concrete differ, but the process is generally the same.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Awl
• Broom
• Crack filler for asphalt or concrete
• Putty knife
• Pre-mixed mortar or sealant in a can
• Pre-mixed concrete
• Cold-patch asphalt
• Plastic
• 4-by-4 piece of wood
• Plywood
• Driveway cleaner
• Driveway water sealer

1. Clean the cracks thoroughly. Remove loose debris with an awl and broom. Rinse small debris from the cracks with the garden hose spray attachment and let them dry completely.

2. Measure the size of the crack to determine the best way to repair it. Different materials are used depending on the size.

3. Fill 1/4-inch cracks with a filler for asphalt or concrete that comes in a caulk-like tube. Run a bead of sealant into the crack and smooth it with a putty knife. Repeat if needed.

4. Fill cracks that are larger than 1/4 inch but smaller than 1/2 inch with a patching compound (for asphalt) or a pre-mixed mortar or sealant from a can (for concrete). After mixing, these fillers can be poured into the crack or scooped onto the crack. Smooth it down with a putty knife, and repeat if needed.

5. Fill cracks larger than 1/2 inch with pre-mixed concrete or cold-patch asphalt. Pour the concrete into the crack and wait 1 hour before leveling off the excess. Pour cold-patch asphalt into the crack and tamp it down until it is level.

6. Let all of the materials dry or cure according to manufacturer's instructions.

7. Seal the driveway with a water sealer using either a roller or sprayer. The driveway cannot be walked on or driven on for several days as the sealer hardens, so put up some sort of barricade.

Tips & Warnings

• Use driveway cleaner to remove oil in cracks.
• If there are loose pieces of concrete or asphalt around the edges of the crack, use a chisel and mallet to chip them away.
• You can use the end of a 4-by-4 piece of wood to tamp down cold-patch asphalt, but there is an easier way. Sprinkle sand over the cold-patch, lay down a piece of plywood and drive over the patch several times. The car's weight will level out the patch.
• Cover products that need to cure with plastic while you wait. This will help them cure slower, which results in a stronger patch.
• If your driveway has a large number of cracks, a repair may not be sufficient. Rather than patching many places, have the driveway replaced.

[genefleszar]

on 12/1/2008 You may want to include backer rod into you article, this will take care of those deep voids that have to be filled. Gene