Asphalt is a tried-and-true, long-lasting, and inexpensive way to pave roads. Your driveway will last longer if you take care of it, but nothing lasts forever. At some point, your driveway will need repair. If you notice the damage soon enough, you might be able to fix it yourself.
So, what does it look like when asphalt gets old?
Asphalt can break down in many ways, but on a residential driveway, the first thing you’ll probably notice is cracks, holes, or crumbling. If you notice a problem early enough, there is a good chance that you can fix it yourself.
Here are some tips on how to fix common problems with residential driveways yourself.
HOW TO FIX CHIPS IN YOUR ASPHALT DRIVEWAY
Asphalt cracks for a number of reasons, including heavy loads, shifting earth below the sub-base, freeze/thaw cycles, and even plants growing through the asphalt.
There is a way, though, to fill cracks and keep your asphalt driveway from falling apart.
How to do it:
- Use a wire brush to get any loose debris out of the cracks in your asphalt driveway.
- Make sure to use a brush to clean out the cracks and sweep away any loose materials.
- It’s important to clean the crack and the area around it. If you don’t, the patch might not stick well and will wear out much faster.
- You can use a garden hose to get rid of any extra dust in the area and a cleaning agent to get rid of any oil or grease spills that have happened in the past.
- Now that the cracks have been thoroughly cleaned, use the crack sealer according to the directions on the package.
If you don’t feel comfortable doing the job yourself, call in the pros to help you finish it. Our crew is great.
HOW TO FILL IN LOW-SPOTTED ASPHALT
When cars are parked in the same spot for a long time or when the base or sub-base is not laid correctly, depressions can appear in the asphalt. Over time, these depressions can get a lot worse if it gets cold and water collects in them.
At some point, cracks will form in these holes, water will get in, and the asphalt will become weak and start to break up.
Here’s how you can fix holes in your asphalt:
- Before filling in the asphalt’s low spots, make sure they are clean. You can sweep away any dirt, and you can use a high-pressure hose to get rid of any grease or oil. You can also add cleaner to the mix to help eliminate the oil or grease faster.
- When you are done cleaning the area, make sure there is no standing water in the depression. You can’t put the patching materials on a surface that is waterlogged or even just damp.
- Now that the area is prepped and ready to go, carefully spread asphalt patching in the depression until it is at the same level as the surrounding surface. Use a metal tamper to smooth it out.
- The patches will need at least 24 hours to dry, so for now, fence them off so no one steps on them or drives over them.
If you don’t know how to fix a hole in asphalt or don’t feel comfortable doing it yourself, talk to us about getting the help you need to do the job right.
HOW TO FIX ASPHALT ON YOUR DRIVEWAY THAT IS CRUMBING
When a crack or depression isn’t fixed right away and water is allowed to get into the asphalt, the asphalt usually starts to crumble.
Repairs need to be done right away to make the asphalt last longer. If the cracks in the asphalt are new, you can easily fix them with the help of a good contractor.
When you fix cracks and potholes in your driveway, it’s best to fill in any low spots and seal them afterward to keep them from falling apart again soon.
HOW TO SEALER YOUR ASPHALT DRIVEWAY
- After fixing any cracks, holes, or low spots in your driveway, you should wait two to five days before sealing it.
- Make sure the surface of your asphalt is free of oil, dirt, grease, and any other trash. Use a broom to pick up as much oil and trash as you can, and then use a cleaner or detergent to get rid of any grease that is still there. Rinse the area with a high-pressure hose and mop up any large pools of water.
- Even if the area isn’t completely dry, it’s fine to start applying the sealant.
- Stir your sealant well because you need to make sure that all of the ingredients are mixed together right or it won’t work.
- Then, put the sealant on each section of asphalt and use a roller to spread it out so it’s even. Make sure that the sealant gets into any spots that are very worn. This will help make sure they don’t get any worse.
- When you’re done, block off the areas you’ve sealed so no one else can mess with them. Before a car can drive over the sealant, it needs to dry for about 24 hours.
At Hackensack Paving, we offer residential, commercial, municipal, and industrial customers high-quality asphalt paving, asphalt repair, and asphalt maintenance.
If you call (201) 514-6060 during business hours, you will get a response on the same day.
Contact us right now to get your free quote.