Knowing Whether You Should Repair Your Asphalt Driveway Yourself

Asphalt is a proven, durable, and cost-effective paving option. Routine maintenance can substantially prolong the life of your driveway, but nothing endures forever. Eventually, the time will come when your driveway requires repair. Our experts on asphalt repairs in Sanford want you to know that if you notice the damage early enough, you might be able to manage the restorations yourself.

What asphalt deterioration looks like

Asphalt deterioration can assume many forms, but on residential driveways, you will likely first notice cracking, depressions, or crumbling. If you see a problem early enough, chances are good that you can complete the repairs yourself. This post provides advice for independently correcting common residential driveway problems.

Repairing asphalt driveway cracks

Asphalt cracks for various reasons, including heavy loads, shifting of the earth below the sub-base, freeze and thaw cycles, and vegetation growth through the pavement. Luckily, there is a method for filling cracks and helping prevent your asphalt drive from crumbling. Here's how:

• Employ a wire brush to remove loose material from cracks in your asphalt pavement.
• Sweep away loose materials with the brush and clean out cracks thoroughly.
• Clean the crack and surrounding area, or a patch might not work correctly and deteriorate quickly in the future.
• Use a garden hose to wash away any dust in the area, and scrub your asphalt with a cleaning agent to clean any oil or grease spills and stains.
• Once cracks are cleaned out, apply the crack sealer according to the manufacturer's directions.

If you're unsure about embarking on the repair yourself, call in our professionals to get the job done right!

Filling in depressed areas of asphalt driveways

Depressions in asphalt can develop where vehicles are parked in one spot for an extended period or where the base or subbase is poorly laid. In addition, freezing weather and water collection in these recesses can force them to worsen over time. Eventually, cracks will develop in these depressions, moisture will penetrate, and the asphalt will fatigue and crumble. Here's how to restore depressions in your pavement:

• Thoroughly clean out the low areas in your asphalt before filling them. You can remove dirt by sweeping it away and spraying grease or oil with a pressure washer. You can also include some cleaner to remove the oil or grease faster.
• Once you finish cleaning the depressions, confirm there's no standing water remaining. You cannot apply patching materials to a saturated or damp surface.
• When the area is primed and prepared, fill the depression to the same level as the surrounding surface by carefully applying asphalt patching and using a metal tamper to make it smooth.
• Allow at least 24 hours for the patches to dry by blocking them off, for now, to make sure no one steps or drives on them.

If you're unsure how to patch an asphalt depression or feel uncomfortable doing it yourself, speak to us about the asphalt repairs in Sanford when you need to get the job done right.