How to Repair Asphalt Driveway Cracks
Asphalt paving is made up of little rock chips, sand and liquid asphalt cement, according to Ask the Builder. It's a popular material for driveways because it is affordable and durable. An aphalt driveway that has been installed correctly and properly maintained can last for 30 years or more. However, sunlight, moisture, and freezing and thawing causes cracks in asphalt. If the cracks are left unrepaired, they turn into bigger problems--potholes. It's not difficult to repair the cracks with some filler and a few tools. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Chisel or wire brush
- Stiff-bristled broom
- Garden hose with pressure nozzle
- Asphalt crack filler
- Trowel
Instructions
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Clean the cracks. Use a chisel or a wire brush to remove loose, larger pieces of asphalt and debris from the cracks. Sweep any remaining debris and dirt out of the cracks with a broom. Clean the dust from the cracks by spraying them with a garden hose, according to Aubuchon Hardware.
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Fill the cracks up with asphalt crack filler so the filler is level with the surrounding surface. Some fillers are liquid that is squeezed from a bottle, some are squeezed from a cartridge in a caulking gun and others are ropes of filler that you lay down and push into the cracks.
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Push the asphalt filler down into the cracks with the end of a trowel. Add more filler if needed. Level the repairs. Allow them to dry thoroughly (according to the manufacturer's directions) before you use the driveway.
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Tips & Warnings
Cracks that have oil or grease on them must be cleaned with a strong asphalt cleanser before you repair them. Rinse well after cleansing. Otherwise, the patch won't stick well. Follow the directions on the container to get the best results.
Fill deep cracks in an asphalt driveway with sand before making the repair. Leave a quarter of an inch of space between the sand and the top of the asphalt.
Use asphalt cold-patch to repair cracks that are a half-inch wide and wider, according to Ace Hardware.
References
- Photo Credit asphalt image by AGphotographer from Fotolia.com
