A driveway is the entrance to your property, giving visitors their first glimpse of your home’s curb appeal. However, as your asphalt driveway ages, wear and tear from use will lead to cracks, holes, dips, and more. Luckily, most minor damage can be fixed without the need for professional help…all you need is a few supplies and some DIY motivation. Let’s talk about how to patch an asphalt driveway to maintain its appearance and durability.
Why Address Asphalt Damage Quickly?
Asphalt might be extra durable, but it is not immune to damage from weather, heavy traffic, and natural wear and tear. Any size hole or crack, even small ones, can allow water to seep into the asphalt layers, leading to bigger issues like potholes, foundation damage, or even complete driveway failure. Patching your driveway as early as possible can prevent this, lengthening the lifespan of your driveway.
Step-by-Step Guide to Patching an Asphalt Driveway
Step 1: Assess the Damage
Before you break out the jackhammer, you need to find out just how much damage you will be dealing with. For cracks less than ½ inch wide and/or shallow holes, a DIY patching solution will probably do the trick. However, larger cracks, deep holes, or areas where the sublayer of the driveway is exposed will require professional intervention and are not candidates for a patch. Not sure if your driveway’s damage warrants professional repair? Call a local asphalt contractor for an expert inspection.
Step 2: Clean the Damaged Area
Once you’ve determined that the damage is DIY patch-appropriate, the next step is to clean the damaged area thoroughly. This includes removing any debris, dirt, loose asphalt, or vegetation from the area. We suggest using a wire brush or a pressure washer to help clean the surface and give the patching material a better surface to adhere to. Completely dry the area before moving on to step two.
Step 3: Fill the Crack or Hole
There are several DIY asphalt patching products available at your local home improvement store, each made for a specific type of asphalt damage. For small cracks, a liquid crack filler can be poured directly into the cleaned crack, using a putty knife to smooth the top surface and remove any excess. For small holes or dips in the asphalt, a pre-mixed asphalt patch compound can be applied directly to the area and smoothed down with a trowel to make it level with the rest of the driveway. Just make sure you pack the compound down tightly for the best results. For anything more than these small repairs, call a local asphalt repair professional.
Step 4: Allow Time for Curing
Just like the asphalt itself, any asphalt patching solution you use will need some time to cure, which is basically just hardening and fully adhering to the underlying surface. Each product is different, so read the instructions for the proper curing time, but most require at least 24 hours if not several days. During curing time, don’t drive on the asphalt surface at all, and avoiding walking on the area is also advisable.
Step 5: Sealcoat the Driveway
Add an extra layer of protection to the patched area by sealcoating the asphalt surface after the patch has fully cured. Sealcoating will stop water from penetrating around the edges of the patch, extending its effect. Sealcoating should be done every 2-5 years, depending on use, and should cover the entire asphalt driveway surface.
Should I Call a Professional?
A DIY asphalt patch is a good choice for very small damage, but anything larger than about ½” needs professional repair, as this may require repair to the underlying layers of the asphalt surface. Always use an experienced and well-reviewed asphalt contractor for any asphalt repairs. Online search engines are a great place to start your search for a reputable local asphalt contractor.
Asphalt Driveway Repair in the Vancouver Metro
For those of you with a heart for DIY, patching small damage in your asphalt driveway might be a great weekend project. However, if DIY isn’t really your thing, or if you’re dealing with asphalt damage larger than ½” wide, it’s time to call in the professionals. If you’re in Abbotsford, Gifford, Aberdeen, Kilgard, Sumas, or anywhere in the southeastern Vancouver metro, TopWest Asphalt Ltd. is ready to help with all your asphalt repair needs. Call TopWest Asphalt Ltd. at 604-755-0300 (toll free: 1-800-ASPHALT) or send us a quote request online to schedule an inspection or request a free quote for your asphalt repair needs today.
