How to Repair a Blacktop Driveway

Your driveway is one of the first things people notice about your home. It provides a stable location for you to park your vehicles. You should repair cracks or other damage as soon as possible to prevent the foundation from getting wet and causing further damage. The average homeowner can perform small blacktop driveway repairs. For larger cracks and more severe damage, you should consult a professional.

Things You'll Need

• Asphalt cold patch
• Crack filler
• Trowel
• Roller
• Tamper
• Short piece of two-by-four
• Sand

Instructions

1. Remove any broken or loose pieces of blacktop or any gravel from the cracks before you patch them. Loose pieces will leave the foundation unstable and can cause the new asphalt to crack.

2. Clean out the crack by using a shop vac or by sweeping out the dust and small particles. Use an attachment on the end of the vac to get all the way into the crack. A stiff broom also works well.

3. Use a pressure washer to clean the area. You can also use a hose with a nozzle. Apply a driveway cleaner if there is any oil or grease. After you use the cleaner, rinse the area completely. The area must be completely clean before applying the new asphalt. Make sure that there is no standing water.

4. Fill in small cracks with asphalt crack filler. This can be applied with a caulk gun and smoothed over with a putty knife.

5. Fill in large cracks (a half-inch or wider) with asphalt cold patch. Apply the patch with a trowel and spread it over the cracks to fill it in. You can use a roller to make sure the patch is smooth. Wait 24 hours before you drive on the mended cracks.

6. Use asphalt cold patch to fill in sunken areas of the driveway. These areas cause puddles. The surface should be slightly moist in order for the patch to adhere. Prime the area with emulsified asphalt liquid so the new asphalt will stick. Apply the cold patch with a trowel so that it will be smooth, then use a short section of two-by-four to compress the patch. Wait 24 hours before you drive on the patch.

7. Repair holes by cleaning them out as if you were repairing a crack. Prime the area by applying an emulsified asphalt liquid so that the new patch will stick. Fill in the hole with a two-inch layer of cold patch, then apply a layer of sand. Continue alternating with layers of sand and cold patch until the hole is filled. There should be at least a two-inch layer of cold patch on the top of the hole. Use a tamper or two-by-four to set the asphalt, then wait 24 to 36 hours before you drive on the area.

8. After all of the patches dry, apply a coat of sealer to the entire driveway. Allow the sealer to dry for 24 hours before you drive or walk on it.

References

• Paint-and-Supplies: How to Repair Asphalt Driveways