| Asphalt Driveway Repair |
From "Ask DIY"
episode ADI-701 |
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Q: My asphalt driveway shows the signs of wear and tear. I'd like to know how to do some simple driveway maintenance and fix the cracks that are opening up. Can you help? A: (James Young, DIY home-improvement expert) There are a number of techniques for maintaining a driveway. Here are a few tips and suggestions. - The first step, before you begin any repairs, is to clean the asphalt surface thoroughly. Use a push-broom to sweep the driveway very well, then use a soap-and-water solution to clean the area around the repair. Laundry detergent works fine for soap. Use a stiff-bristle brush to clean the area well (figure A).
- You may also want to use a shop-vacuum to clean up any loose debris in the area.
- If engine oil has leaked onto the asphalt, you'll need to use a specially formulated driveway-cleaning solution to clean the area.
- To repair a crack in the pavement, patch it with crack-filler (figure B), a caulk-like compound available at home centers.
- Apply a bead of filler directly into the crack (figure C). The filler prevents moisture from getting under the crack and leading to further damage.
- Once the filler has been applied, smooth it out using a putty knife (figure D).
- Another option is to use cold-patch compound. This is the best method for repairing larger holes in the asphalt surface. Follow the directions that come with the product you decide to use.
- For cold-patch, wet the asphalt surface in the area of the repair, and apply the first layer of compound using a trowel (figure E).
- Once the patch compound has been applied, tamp it down flat. Special tamping tools are available at home centers, or you can make a simple one from scrap wood.
- More than one layer may be needed. Tamp each layer (figure F), then allow it to dry before adding the next layer.
- Tip: One simple way to flatten the patch compound is to lay a piece of scrap plywood over the repair and the wet compound, and simply drive your car over the sheet of plywood (figure G). The weight of the car will flatten the compound immediately.
- Check the manufacturer's instructions for drying time. Most cold-patch compounds require about 48 hours to cure completely.
- Once you've patched the holes and cracks in your asphalt, it's a good idea to seal the driveway. In fact, sealing is a good idea even if your driveway doesn't need repairs. The sealer repels moisture, and may prevent cracks from forming in the first place.
- To apply sealer, begin by blocking off your driveway with barricades or tape, since you won't be able to use the driveway for two or three days. Also, you may need to cover any plants or landscaping with plastic to prevent the chemicals from spilling into unwanted areas.
- Driveway sealers are available at home centers. Follow the manufacturer's instructions that come with the product that you select. In our case, the sealer (figure H) was applied to a wet driveway, and is applied uniformly across the surface using a special brush and squeegee (figure I).
- Tip: To provide increased traction in your driveway, you can spread sand onto the wet sealer solution before it dries.
RESOURCES :
HGTV's Complete Fix-It
Author: HGTV
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