How To Fix Asphalt Driveways?

Fixing asphalt driveways

Fixing asphalt driveways is not as hard as many people think. You just need different materials and a bit of specialization otherwise the process is similar to fixing concrete driveways. It is also important to note that asphalt driveway repairs require a patching compound that is unique and hard to find in your local repair stores. Shopping for this compound can therefore be a daunting task for beginners.

It is also important to note that you don’t need hot asphalt to repair your asphalt driveways. The size of the cracks on your asphalt driveway determining the product you need to buy to do repairs. For instance if you are repairing cracks that are a half inch or less in width, you need a product known as crack filler sold in handy cartridges. For cracks wider than half an inch, you require a product known as asphalt cold-patch normally packaged in cans or bags. If you are interested in learning how to fix your asphalt driveway, below are detailed steps on how to fix asphalt driveways. Or, you can visit road repairs Mackay and check the pictures of professionals in action.

3 steps on how to fix asphalt driveways

1. Clean your driveway

This is the first step to consider when fixing asphalt driveways. Start by cleaning your driveway using tools such as; a lawn edging tool, a spade or ice chipper to scrap off any weeds or grass present on the driveway and driveway cracks. Remove loose asphalt from cracked or damaged areas using water from your garden hose or using compressed air. The next step is brushing off all the loose asphalt debris using a broom. Afterwards, scrub your driveway using a diluted driveway cleaner. This cleaning step is important for removing any oil film/s and dirt. You should repeat this step until all oil stain/s are removed. If there any remaining stains after this step, apply a suitable oil-spot primer on the remaining stain/s. Hose your driveway one last time with pressure starting uphill and then rinsing downhill towards the sides. Let your driveway dry properly before proceeding to step 2. To discover more about the appropriate cleaning solutions for concrete visit this website: https://www.blogs4us.com/  

2. Making repairs

Step 2 is the actual repair step. For cracks measuring 3 to 12 millimeters, use a caulking gun to fill the cracks with rubberized emulsion crack filler (asphalt). You can simply pour the crack filler into the cracks if you don’t have a caulking gun. You have to be careful doing this so that the filler doesn’t get on the surface. The next step is smoothing the filler using a putty knife. For wide cracks or potholes, use a shovel to fill in cold patch blacktop. You can use an iron rake to level large areas. Consider slightly overfilling the wide cracks and potholes. After that, cover the area using scrap plywood and then drive over it.

3. Filling and sealing

Step 3 is the last step. After you have leveled the crack/s or potholes completely, mist the driveway using water. The next step is pouring a ribbon/s of acrylic driveway filler or sealer approximately one foot wide across your driveway.

Spread this strip to approximately 1 meter width using a squeegee applicator or a brush. For more detailed guidance on handling similar tasks, tvn24.org can provide additional tips and techniques. The last step is removing all the excess sealer as you work uphill going downhill. Once you are done, you have finished repairing your asphalt driveway.