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Patching holes or repairing cracks in your asphalt driveway as soon as you notice the problem prevents the damage from becoming more extensive — and the repair more costly. A crack can be fixed in about half an hour; it takes only an hour or two to repair a small hole.
Asphalt is a mixture of gravel and a petroleum-based binder. This combination makes asphalt water resistant and gives it enough elasticity to withstand the buckling and heaving that result from seasonal changes in weather and use by heavy vehicles.
An asphalt driveway should last fifteen to twenty years, but cracks and holes are bound to develop eventually. The most common reasons are the effects of weather, specifically temperature changes and water. In cold weather, water can freeze and expand in the spaces between pieces of gravel in the asphalt, causing cracks. In warmer weather, heavy rains can wash away the base, causing the asphalt to crumble. Oil leaks and the salt used to melt snow and ice in cold climates are two more enemies of asphalt.
Repairing damage in its early stages will make your driveway last longer — maybe longer than its normal life expectancy.
The materials required for the job can be purchased at most hardware stores. To patch large holes, you need cold-mix asphalt, driveway sealer, sand, gravel and a triangular-shaped trowel. For small cracks, you need a trowel, asphalt patching compound, a caulking gun and driveway sealer.
To compact the patch initially, use a 4×4 post or a tamp —tool specifically designed for this purpose. The final compacting is done with a lawn roller or your car. Sealer can be applied with a paint roller.
You may have seen some homeowners apply an asphalt sealer to their entire driveway every few years. Although this may not increase the longevity of your driveway, it does improve the appearance. Sealing your driveway will fill minor cracks, but large cracks and holes should be re¬paired first.
Filling Holes
1. With a broom or shovel, clean dirt and debris out of the hole. The asphalt around the hole must be firm.
2. Pack deep holes with coarse gravel about 3 to 4 inches from the top, or half the depth of the hole.
3. Add asphalt to within an inch of the top. Cut into asphalt with a trowel to eliminate air pockets.
4. Tamp the asphalt with a 4×4. Add asphalt to 1/2 inch above the surface, then tamp it even.
5. Compact the asphalt with a lawn roller. Sand sprinkled over the patch prevents sticking.
6. pread sealer using a paint roller. V Apply a second coat of sealer within 1 to 2 days.
Repairing Cracks
1. After cleaning out rocks and other debris with a shovel or brush, fill the crack using a caulking gun and a tube of asphalt patching compound.
2. Pack the patching compound into the crack using a trowel. Make sure the patch is smooth and free from leaves, rocks and dirt.
3. With a paint roller, apply sealer to the surrounding asphalt for a waterproof bond between the crack and the surface.
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Title: Easy Steps to Patching Asphalt Driveways