how to repair dents in asphalt driveway

1. Measure or estimate the amount of filler material you will need to execute your repairs. ...
2. Select the asphalt filler you want to use for your repair. ...
3. Clean loose dirt and debris out of the hole with a garden shovel, a trowel, or other suitable tool. ...
4. Let the hole dry in the sun if there is water in it because the tar will not stick to the wet dirt. ...
5. Fill in holes that are more than three or four inches deep with a material that can be compacted tightly, such as clay, crushed concrete, or crushed limestone.
6. Fill the hole with the asphalt filler to about one half an inch above the adjacent paving. ...
7. Pack it down with a hand tamp, a gasoline powered plate compactor, or even a hammer for very small holes.
Cover the patch if possible. You can put a board or piece of plywood over the fix for a few days to ensure that it hardens more but this ...
Clean up your tools and any spilled material around your patch and admire your handiwork.
What should the outside temperature be to use a coldpatch? Above 65F, but I caution that really warm weather would keep it soft for a long time.

Full Answer

How do you fix a pothole in an asphalt driveway?

Potholes or other damage to an asphalt driveway can often be filled in with cold asphalt filler. Here are some steps to help you have a successful project repairing your driveway. Steps. Measure or estimate the amount of filler material you will need to execute your repairs.

How to repair cracks in asphalt driveway?

Cracks in asphalt driveways can easily lead to weeds taking advantage of the space. Begin the process of repair by getting rid of those weeds. Pull them by hand, trying to pull up as much as you can. You must also get rid of any debris that might have collected in the crack.

What can I use to fill a hole in my driveway?

Cold asphalt filler (a mixture of asphalt tar and rocks) is sold in plastic bags similar in size to cement bags weighing 50 pounds, and buckets ranging from one gallon to five gallons. Clean loose dirt and debris out of the hole with a garden shovel, a trowel, or other suitable tool.

How do you fix asphalt uproar?

Since asphalt upheaval is caused by problems in the pavement sub-grade, the best solution is removal of the affected area and application of a full-depth asphalt patch. At Murphree Paving, we provide high-quality asphalt paving, asphalt repair and asphalt maintenance to residential, commercial municipal and industrial clients.

How do you fill a dip in a driveway?

Start by filling the pothole with coarse gravel up to about three inches below the surface of the driveway. Next you should compact the coarse gravel using a steel tamper or a 4x4 wooden post. For a dirt driveway, fill the hole with dirt up to three to four inches above the desired surface level.

What do you use to fill holes in asphalt driveway?

3:385:30How to Repair an Asphalt Pothole | Ask This Old House - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNow what we're going to use for our top coat is this cold packs asphalt repair if you take a look atMoreNow what we're going to use for our top coat is this cold packs asphalt repair if you take a look at it it's a stone mixed with asphalt binder. We just pour it in the hole in inch and a half thick.

Can you Mudjack asphalt?

While it may remain durable underfoot, asphalt will usually crack and crumble if you try to raise it. This makes it a poor candidate for mudjacking in almost every instance.

How do you repair damaged asphalt?

0:532:03HouseSmarts Fix it in 15 "Patching Asphalt Driveways" Episode 206YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAsphalt that's around the perimeter gets removed as well. Then. You take the patching. Product inMoreAsphalt that's around the perimeter gets removed as well. Then. You take the patching. Product in this case our aqua fault and pour it into the hole.

How do I fill my asphalt driveway with dips?

Open the asphalt repair mix and shovel a 2-inch layer inside the sunken area. Tamp it down with the end of a piece of scrap 4-by-4-inch lumber. Continue adding 2-inch layers and tamping them until you get to the top of the sunken asphalt, instructs Family Handyman. Mound the final layer so it is higher in the middle.

What is the best asphalt cold patch?

A professional paving company using hot asphalt will give you the longest-lasting results. But Consumer Reports did find two good do-it-yourself options. Sakrete U.S. Cold Patch Permanent Pothole Repair is fairly strong for about $12 dollars. Even better - Aquaphalt Permanent Pothole Repair for $30 to $40 dollars.

Can you torch cold patch asphalt?

One of the tricky parts of winter asphalt repair is getting a good bond between your repair and the original surface. Fortunately, you can heat the original asphalt with a torch. This action should warm the asphalt enough to bond with your emergency repair. From there, you can add the crack sealer.

How do you smooth rough asphalt?

Clear the edges around your asphalt area, including trimming grass and pulling weeds.Sweep the area thoroughly, removing any debris.Spot-clean any oil or gas stains.Use a hose to wet the entire area and scrub it with a brush and asphalt cleaner.Rinse the asphalt thoroughly and let it dry completely.More items...

How do you repair an asphalt driveway edge?

0:001:35How To Repair Driveway Depressions - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTo get started brush the crack to remove loose dirt use a screwdriver to loosen material. If need beMoreTo get started brush the crack to remove loose dirt use a screwdriver to loosen material. If need be you can also use a wet/dry vac to clean the area if that is preferred.

Can you put new asphalt over old asphalt?

An overlay or resurface can be used on an asphalt driveway, parking lot, or road way. It consists of installing a new layer of asphalt over the existing asphalt and grinding at the transitions (i.e. sidewalks, garages, drains, curbs, or other asphalt points).

How can I make my asphalt driveway look better?

Cracks form in the asphalt from settling or from hot and cold expansion. Press or caulk asphalt crack filler into cracks to seal them. Remove all plant life from the crack, clean it with a stiff bristled brush and fill the crack. This will turn a tattered-looking asphalt face into a smooth-looking asphalt surface.

Do it yourself repair driveways?

InstructionsClean Out the Cracks. Cracks in asphalt driveways can easily lead to weeds taking advantage of the space. ... Apply Weed Killer. ... Fill in Small Cracks. ... Fill In Deep Cracks. ... Apply Patching Compound. ... Let the Asphalt Repair Cure. ... Apply Sealant to the Repaired Area.

How long does it take for asphalt to settle?

Depending on which patching product you chose, asphalt can take anywhere from 1 to 24 hours to settle. If you are using AquaPhalt, like Lou, it will cure overnight (and can apparently be driven on it right away).

What is the purpose of driveways?

Driveways are a quintessential part of the American home. They host and display our beloved automobiles, and they provide outdoor space for families to use — to play, to decorate for holidays, or to complete a DIY project. Regardless of size, shape and style, every driveway plays a number of important roles in its home. So, if you notice any cracks or holes in yours, make sure to repair them immediately.

Can you repair a crack in your driveway?

In the event that you need to repair a crack in your driveway, don’t worry — the job is easy. Assuming your driveway is composed of asphalt, the most popular material for driving surfaces, it takes almost no time to patch. Each year, Americans spend more than one billion dollars on asphalt paving. As a result, asphalt repair products are readily available at most local hardware stores throughout the country.

What causes asphalt to crumble?

There are several things that can lead to your asphalt driveway crumbling, such as: 1 Weather changes 2 Asphalt that is not sealed properly 3 Wear and tear

How to fix a pothole in a wall?

Potholes. Prime the area, then add cold patching material two inches deep. Tamp it in, then add another two inches, then tamp t again. Keep at it until you have overfilled the pothole, leaving a slight mound over the area. Tamp it in as much as you can, then let it cure for 24 to 36 hours before you go any further.

How long to wait to patch dips?

Once you’ve patched in the filler, you’ll need to prime the area and apply a layer of liquid asphalt to it. Then, use a trowel to spread the cold patching material evenly so that it matches the other areas. Then use a metal tamper to tamp it in. Wait for 24 hours before you go any further in your fixes.

Why is asphalt weak?

Asphalt isn’t strong enough to withstand nature’s effects, mostly if the asphalt is laid in a state where it rains a lot, such as Washington and Oregon. The water will sink into the asphalt and freeze, which then causes it to crack. This makes the asphalt weak and prone to wear and tear over time.

What to do if your driveway is crumbling?

On the other hand, if your driveway is almost entirely crumbled, you will need to do a full re-pave to get the smoothness you want. If you are not sure that you will be able to do this job, or you don’t have the tools, you should consider consulting a specialist.

How long does it take for a tamper to cure?

Tamp it in as much as you can, then let it cure for 24 to 36 hours before you go any further. Once you’ve done all the fixes, you’re going to have to clean up the driveway. This starts by cleaning up your driveway once more. It may be monotonous, but you will need to clean up the driveway again.

How much does it cost to repair a driveway?

If you choose to hire a professional, getting your driveway repaired will typically cost between $850 to $3,100.This is about $6 to $10 per square foot, depending on what you’re patching up.

How long does it take for asphalt to harden?

I recommend having someone come in and use real asphalt to patch whatever it is. This will be permanent and will set up within a week, maybe a few days if it is just a patch at the end of your new driveway.

How long does it take for asphalt to set up after a cold patch?

Community Answer. You could. However, the asphalt in cold patch needs time to set up -- sometimes up to six months. Read the curing time on the package before applying a sealer on top of it. It is not necessary to put sealer on top of a patch, though.

How many gallons of cold asphalt filler?

Cold asphalt filler (a mixture of asphalt tar and rocks) is sold in plastic bags similar in size to cement bags weighing 50 pounds, and buckets ranging from one gallon to five gallons. ...

How to dry tar in a hole?

Let the hole dry in the sun if there is water in it because the tar will not stick to the wet dirt. You can also use a fan or blow dryer if you are in a hurry.

How to get tar out of a hole?

Clean loose dirt and debris out of the hole with a garden shovel, a trowel, or other suitable tool. If the material in the hole is dry soil, you may want to use a garden hose to dampen it because the tar will not stick to dry dirt.

Can you undermine pavement adjacent to a patch?

If you want, you can undermine the pavement adjacent to the patch so the new patch material will support edges weakened by the event that caused the original pothole.

Can you fill a hole in an asphalt driveway with cold asphalt?

Potholes or other damage to an asphalt driveway can often be filled in with cold asphalt filler. Here are some steps to help you have a successful project repairing your driveway.

How to fix cracks in asphalt?

A short term fix is to apply crack filler or sealcoating to stop water and debris from getting into the cracks and making them worse. Next, if at all possible you should restrict traffic in the affected area because vehicles driving over the weakened pavement will damage the asphalt surface further.

What happens if you don't fix your asphalt?

If not fixed quickly, the water and debris that typically collect in depressions can wear on the asphalt surface and weaken its integrity.

Why does asphalt have longitudinal cracks?

Figure 5. Longitudinal cracks in asphalt occur because of pavement fatigue or due to asphalt shrinkage during low temperatures. Longitudinal cracks in asphalt paving are cracks that run in the direction of asphalt application (along a driveway or road.) They can be caused by various factors including:

How to repair raveling in asphalt?

How to fix raveling in asphalt. The first step in repairing raveled asphalt surface is to remove all loose material. If the raveling is limited to a small area, apply a simple asphalt patch. If you have, large raveled areas of pavement, this suggests general asphalt failure.

What are the problems with asphalt?

But before you can fix an issue with asphalt pavement, you need to know what they are. Here are eight common asphalt paving issues, their causes, and how you can fix them. 1. Raveling. Figure 1. An example of raveling. Raveling is the breakdown of asphalt as particles dislodge from the surface.

Why does asphalt have depressions?

Depressions in asphalt are usually caused by poor compaction during the paving process. Depressions are low areas of pavement that do not penetrate the asphalt and they are typically caused by poor compaction during the paving process.

How to patch a pothole with truck tires?

Place the patching material into the pothole without any preparation or water/debris removal. Compact the patching material using the patching truck tires (usually 4 to 8 passes). Check the compacted patch for a slight crown. If a depression is present add more patching material and compact.