Steps for Asphalt and Concrete Driveway Repair
- If weeds are growing out of the cracks, pull them.
- Clean the cracks, using a strong spray from a garden hose.
- Apply weed killer.
- When the crack is deep, fill it to within 1/4 inch of the surface with sand.
- Tamp down the sand.
- Apply patching compound ( for asphalt driveway repair) or concrete.
- Allow it to cure.
- Apply sealant.
Should I replace or resurface my driveway?
When driveways start to lose their luster or are nearing the end of their lifespan, a lot of owners will consider the option of having their driveway resurfaced to cut costs. There are some cases when a good resurfacing job will do the trick. But in some other cases, you’ll have no choice but to have the whole driveway redone.
How often should I replace a driveway?
How Often Should I Reseal My Driveway? You should reseal your driveway every three to five years, depending on the climate you're in. In a cold, wet climate you may need to reseal more often, whereas in warmer climates like California your asphalt sealcoating will last longer.
When to repair or replace your driveway?
Your concrete driveway may be damaged if:
- There are cracks, splits, or breaks
- Your driveway isn’t clearing water or draining properly
- The seal or finish is corroded or worn away
- The base/foundation is unstable
- It is “too old” or beyond its lifespan
Can you resurface a driveway?
While resurfacing is a great option for your driveway, it's not always the best measure. If your driveway is this old, our experts recommend completely replacing the asphalt. Likewise, if your driveway has too many cracks (1/3 of your driveway's surface area), it may be more efficient to completely replace the asphalt.
How do you fix a badly damaged driveway?
how to resurface badly damaged concrete walkways, patios, and drivewaysRemove any loose, flaking, and broken concrete.Clean and patch the deep areas over 1/2" deep.Sand patched areas, clean, and apply first coat of concrete resurfacer then let dry.More items...
How can I fix my driveway myself?
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.
What is the cheapest way to resurface a drive?
Of the four paving materials described in this guide, aggregate (gravel) is the least expensive, followed by asphalt, concrete, and paving stones. If you're installing your driveway on a shoestring budget, gravel is your best choice.
How do you repair an old concrete driveway?
0:394:28How to Resurface Concrete - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBefore resurfacing your slab deeply spalled areas and large cracks should be repaired using concreteMoreBefore resurfacing your slab deeply spalled areas and large cracks should be repaired using concrete resurfacer that has been mixed to a triable consistency.
How do you fix a crumbling concrete driveway?
5 Simple Fixes for Worn ConcreteThe Cure for Crumbling Concrete Steps.Resurface a Spalling Driveway.Eliminate Countertop Scratches and Stains.Replace Worn Patio and Driveway Expansion Joints.Plug Leaky Basement Walls.
Is it OK to pave over an existing driveway?
If you put a new layer of asphalt over the existing driveway it will get the same rut very quickly. Asphalt is highly flexible and once the ground under asphalt sags asphalt sags too. The real solution would be to tear the driveway up and put proper ballast.
How do I repave my driveway myself?
4:326:54How to Resurface a Driveway - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe resurfacer needs to be mixed thoroughly before using I could do this by hand but a paddle mixerMoreThe resurfacer needs to be mixed thoroughly before using I could do this by hand but a paddle mixer in a cordless electric drill is much faster easier. And less messy.
What is the best material for a driveway?
Concrete is the most popular driveway material, and for good reason. Durable and low-maintenance, you won't have to give much thought to a concrete driveway. It may not earn as many compliments as upscale alternatives, but concrete is a dependably solid choice with a mid-range price.
How do I pave my own driveway?
0:515:28Do it yourself Asphalt Driveway - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo we have a little stone dust under the pavers to help them sit flat and something for them toMoreSo we have a little stone dust under the pavers to help them sit flat and something for them to compact down into we're going to put a plastic edging along the outside.
How do you fix crumbling asphalt driveway?
Use asphalt paste patch that contains fine aggregate to fill small holes and gaps along curbing. Mound the repair above the surface the way crews do on roads. They let car tires reduce the speed bumps and gradually compact the mix. You can use a heavy metal tamper, or the end of a 2-by-4 to pound the patch nearly flat.
How do you raise a sinking driveway?
You have three options: coat the sunken section with a sand-and-cement mixture to make the surface higher, raise the sunken section using a process called mudjacking, or raise the sunken section using expanding polyurethane foam. Patching fixes the safety issue without costing much, but the patch is sure to show.
How do you lift a sinking driveway?
Mud jacking can lift a settled concrete slab by pumping a grout through the concrete and pushing it up from below. The process is sometimes called “slab jacking” or “pressure grouting”. 1 to 1 5/8th inch diameter holes are drilled through the sunken concrete block/slab at strategic locations to maximize lift.
How do I patch a crack in my driveway?
Then do your patching when temperatures are at least 60°F so the repair material will cure. Fill 1/2-in. cracks with sand to within 1/4 in. of the surface, then add an asphalt filler, such as Quikrete's Blacktop Repair ($2 a quart) or UGL's Driveway Crack Filler ($3 a tube). An alternative is Dalton's Pli-Stix, a rope-like crack and joint sealer you melt in place with a torch.
What to do if your driveway is crumbling?
If your driveway is crumbling or has heaved or subsided in a major way, then your best option is to replace it. The same applies if it's allowing water to seep into the subsoil around your home. But often the problem is just cracks, which let in water that erodes the driveway base and allows freezing temperatures to do further damage.
How much does it cost to build a driveway?
Prices range from $1 per square foot for stone and gravel to $13 or more for cobblestone paving.
How much does Dalton's Super Patch cost?
For deeper holes, pour in gravel to within 4 in. of the surface, then trowel in Dalton's Super Patch ($7 per gallon). Or, shovel in cold-patch asphalt in 1-in. layers, packing each firmly as you go with the end of a 4X4 or the head of the sledgehammer.
How do I fix a crack in a concrete slab?
To fix large holes and deep cracks, fill them with gravel to within 4 in. of the surface , pour in concrete, tamp with a magnesium float and finish with a flat trowel or broom to match the existing finish. However, the larger the patch, the shorter its longevity—winter freeze/thaw cycles that exert pressure of 30,000 psi can make short work of big repairs.
What is the difference between pavers and cobblestone?
Cobblestone, or Belgian block, is more traditional and comes only in a rectangular shape .
How deep should a gravel base be?
A new gravel base should be 3/4-minus gravel and 8 to 10 in. deep. After the concrete is poured, to prevent cracking, use a sprinkler to keep concrete moist as it cures.
What is the best way to fix cracks in concrete?
For just one or two small cracks less than half an inch, consider fixing with a concrete crack filler, such as Quikrete Advanced Polymer Concrete Crack Sealant (available from The Home Depot ), dispensed with a standard caulking gun.
How much does a concrete driveway cost?
Running approximately $4 to $5 per square foot for professional installation, concrete is one of the strongest construction materials around, and it forms a solid, ...
Why do you need an excavator for a gravel driveway?
Call an excavator if portions of the gravel driveway are washed out by heavy rains and water runoff. This is a common problem for country dwellers whose land often isn’t designed to drain away from their driveway. When heavy rains come, the runoff can be concentrated in small areas, cutting through farmland and over gravel drives, washing the gravel away and creating ruts. An excavator will haul in additional gravel to fill the ruts and then grade and compact that portion of the driveway.
Why do people put gravel on their driveways?
Usually found in small rural communities or leading to country homes, gravel driveways are often installed to promote drainage, when asphalt or concrete contractors aren’ t available, or where the long length of a driveway makes it cost-prohibitive to install asphalt or concrete.
What is the best way to fix spider webs in asphalt?
Numerous tiny spider web cracks in asphalt can be remedied with a mop-on asphalt sealer, such as Henry Driveway Filler and Sealer (available from Walmart ). This product contains an asphalt resin that can be applied without heat.
How does a gravel driveway work?
Gravel driveways are constructed with a slight crown, a high spot going down the center that allows water to run off to both sides. Repetitive tire tracks in the same place can create low spots that hold water and eventually cause the formation of ruts. An excavator can re-grade the road with a large blade that pulls gravel back to the center of the road to recreate the original crown shape.
What to use to repair spalling on concrete?
If your concrete driveway is spalling (flaking off in patches), consider resurfacing with a product such as Quikrete Concrete Resurfacer (available from Lowe’s ). It comes dry in a 40-pound bag and must be mixed with water and applied according to package instructions. Once mixed, it’s spread over a spalled section of the driveway with a squeegee to fill in the damaged spots and form a new smooth surface.
When putting concrete on a driveway, do you let it dry?
Before driving or walking on the driveway, let the new concrete dry as indicated on the label.
How wide is a crack in a cement driveway?
Any cement cracking under 1/4-inch wide may not mean there’s any serious damage. However, normal driveway wear and tear can affect them much later. If you live in an area with particularly harsh winters, then the constant freezing/thawing is going to expand the cracks significantly. Those cracks that expand over 1/4-inch- wide signal more serious structural issues. They can be filled, but usually, it’s a temporary fix and won’t hold over time. Be sure to keep an eye out for cracking that is more an inch wide and particularly uneven, meaning that one side of the crack is higher than the other. These cracks aren’t located in the control joint but in the concrete plane of the driveway. This signifies a structural issue.
Why does my concrete crack?
The cracking of your concrete driveway is just a natural part of the cycle of life. You’d start to crack too if you were exposed to constant cycles of freezing and thawing, heavy loads, tree roots, and, yes, even tectonic shifts in the Earth’s crust! In learning to make repairs to concrete, you’ll be unlocking a life hack so profound that you won’t know what to do with yourself. In repairing these little concrete cracks early, you’ll be able to stop them from leading to even bigger cracks. The bigger the crack, the more damage is done to your slab of concrete, and the more damage is done, the more money it’s going to cost you later.
Why are concrete joints installed?
Concrete joints are installed so that one concrete element can move separately from other parts of the concrete structure. When joints are integrated, they allow the elements of the concrete to move independently from the building/structure. These joints let the concrete shrink as its drying, therefore preventing internal restraint.
What are the three types of cracks in concrete?
Okay, now that that’s out of the way, repairs can begin! The following cracks have been separated into three categories: Simple Surface, 1/4 And Under, and Large Cracks. You’ll learn how to delegate each job depending on the size, severity, and location of your concrete crack.
What to use for cracks in concrete?
If you’ve got significantly deeper cracks, you’ll want to use either a concrete mix that contains gravel.
What do you wear when filling concrete?
Of course, with any job involving concrete fillers, mixers, and resurfacers, you’ll want to wear rubber gloves, safety glasses to protect your eyes, and choose an outfit that has a full coverage of the skin! Take care of yourself—it’s the only body you have at the present!
How to build a cold patch?
Pour in a small amount of cold patch material and level it with a square-blade shovel. Tamp down a test section and measure the depth. The bottom layer should only be 1/2 in. thick when compacted. Add or remove cold patch material and then tamp down the entire starter row. Photo 3: Build additional layers.
How does cold patch work?
Cold patch works only when it’s compacted and “keyed” into at least two vertical surfaces. So don’t think you can build up the driveway height by pouring cold patch on top of the old sunken asphalt—the patching material will just break off in chunks. Instead, you’ll have to cut out the sunken asphalt (Photo 1).
How much does it cost to dig out an asphalt driveway?
If you don’t, water will pool in the depression, seep into the soil below, and eventually destroy the driveway. Asphalt companies charge about $1,000 to dig out the old portion and install a new apron. Concrete contractors charge even more. But you can rebuild your asphalt driveway apron yourself.
How to avoid last minute shopping trips?
Avoid last-minute shopping trips by having all your materials ready ahead of time. Here’s a list.
When is the best time to repair a driveway?
So the best time to do the project is during an extended warm, dry spell. You can do it in spring or fall, but cold weather and rain will greatly extend the cure time. This driveway repair is a messy job, and no matter how careful you are, you’re going to get tar on your clothes and shoes. You can’t wash off the tar with soap and water.
Can you fix a sinking driveway apron?
But when your driveway repair has sunk to the point where it’s 4 or 5 in. lower than your garage floor, it’s time to fix it. If you don’t, water will pool in the depression, seep into the soil below, and eventually destroy the driveway.
Can you wash tar off a driveway?
You can’t wash off the tar with soap and water. So wear old clothes and shoes that you can toss into the trash when you’re done. If you have to go into the house during the project, leave your shoes outside so you don’t track tar into the house. Here’s how to make the DIY driveway repair.
