
How to Fix a Sunken Place in Asphalt Driveway
- 1.. Loosen any damaged asphalt from the sunken area with a putty knife, screwdriver or similar sharp object.
- 2.. Sweep out the sunken area with a broom or shop vacuum to remove surface debris, advises Sure-Seal Pavement...
- 3.. Add three or four drops of dish detergent to a bucket of hot water. Scrub the asphalt near the area...
- Snap a chalk line parallel to the garage door. ...
- Cut through the asphalt (it's usually 2 to 3 in. ...
- Remove the asphalt and dig a 12-in. ...
- Spread a 2-in. ...
- Install paver edging along grass edges and spread a 1-in. ...
- Set your pavers, compact them with the plate compactor and fill the joints with sand.
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
How to fix a sinking concrete driveway?
It offers other advantages as well:
- The foam adds very little weight to the slab, so it won't cause the soil to compact any more than it already has.
- You need to drill fewer holes in the driveway, and they are only 5/8 inches in diameter, which makes them easier to conceal.
- The foam is a liquid when you inject it, so it flows into voids and fills them more completely.
How much does it cost to replace a driveway?
- Driveway size, material, and thickness have the most significant impact on the total project cost.
- Labor typically makes up 50% of the total project cost.
- Designs with stamped patterns, colored stains, finishes, or stencils add $2 to $15 per square foot.
- Borders featuring stone or brick pavers cost $10 to $25 per square foot.
Should I resurface, repair, or replace my concrete driveway?
When it comes to fixing a driveway, your two options are generally either resurfacing it or replacing it entirely. However, there is a third option: patching it with a little extra concrete where necessary. If there’s only one hole or a surface-level crack, patching the concrete could be your best bet.

How do you raise a sunken 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.
What causes driveway to sink?
Erosion can wash soil away from under your driveway. This will create a void or space under the driveway slab. Voids under concrete slabs cause the concrete to sink and crack. Your driveway can begin to sink in areas where the soil has been washed out.
How do you fix a sinking concrete driveway?
The Better Option With concrete lifting, our team drills holes in the slab that's sinking. We attach our specialized pump and inject grout beneath the surface, filling the void and bringing the driveway back to its previous level. Then we patch the hole, fill the crack and let it cure for a couple of hours.
How do you fix a sunken asphalt driveway?
2:188:03Part One - How to Fix a Sunken Asphalt Driveway, Tire Depressions ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWe left it to dry for a few days before beginning to fill the toilet depression with asphalt potholeMoreWe left it to dry for a few days before beginning to fill the toilet depression with asphalt pothole filler before starting the system we cleaned up the debris. From the area again to ensure no debris
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 much does it cost to lift a concrete slab?
In general terms, concrete raising can cost between $2-$5 per square foot. For example: a 10 ft. x 10 ft. section needs to be raise is 100 square feet.
Why is my cement driveway sinking?
Soil shrinkage, compaction and settling all have an impact on sinking concrete. If the soil below the slab isn't compact, the concrete can easily begin to sink as the soil beneath it solidifies and hardens. If the soil is too wet or too dry, this can also cause concrete to sink.
Can I raise concrete myself?
Lifting a sunken slab may be necessary to level the surface. Hiring a professional service to lift, or jack up, the slab can be costly. You can avoid this expense if you do it yourself with the help of a jacking pump, which can raise the concrete slab to the needed level.
How do you lift sunken concrete DIY?
1:543:27Lift and Level a Concrete Sidewalk...Yourself! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBreak you don't want any body parts being crushed under the weight of the heavy side rock. Now withMoreBreak you don't want any body parts being crushed under the weight of the heavy side rock. Now with the backfill all in place we begin to lower the slabs. Put the dirt back on the sides.
How do cold patches fix driveways?
Just sweep loose material from the pothole and fill the hole with U.S. Cold Patch. Then tamp or tire roll! This product sets through compaction, which makes for quick, permanent repairs that save time and money. Use it in all weather.
How do you blacktop a driveway yourself?
0:435:28Do 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.
Why does concrete driveway sink?
Soil shrinkage, compaction and settling all have an impact on sinking concrete. If the soil below the slab isn't compact, the concrete can easily begin to sink as the soil beneath it solidifies and hardens. If the soil is too wet or too dry, this can also cause concrete to sink.
How do I keep my gravel driveway from sinking?
5:449:37How to - Repairing a muddy gravel driveway - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo what I did is put rocks big rocks these are at least I don't know two to four inch rocksMoreSo what I did is put rocks big rocks these are at least I don't know two to four inch rocks underneath to give it a good base. And then put some road base on top which is limestone.
What causes block paving to sink?
Most block paving sinkage is due to insufficient support from a sub base. For many years (prior to the wide use of Type 1 MOT stone) driveway areas were filled with left overs from building sites commonly known as 'hardcore'.
What causes uneven driveway?
The most likely causes of an uneven driveway or sidewalk are a concrete mix that has too much water or sand (making it weaker and more prone to breakage) or improper deployment.
What Causes a Driveway to Sink?
Nature is to blame for most of the problems we have with concrete slabs. Rain and seasonal variations do a lot of damage.
Why does my driveway crack?
These issues explain why cracks form in your driveway. When erosion causes one side of the slab to sink, or frost heaves push one side up, the pressure causes the concrete to crack.
What is mudjacking in Acculevel?
When Acculevel started a few decades ago, we did mudjacking. Mudjacking is a type of slabjacking that is used when you’re injecting a specific material. Although this material is called mud, it’s actually a type of grout: a mix of limestone, concrete, sand, and water. As it solidifies and cures, it raises the slab.
How long does it take to park on a slabjacked driveway?
Slabjacking causes minimal mess and disruption, and sets up within minutes. You should be able to park on your driveway within a few hours- no parallel parking required! And- we know how important this is- having a new driveway poured costs at least twice as much as slabjacking.
Why does my concrete slab sink?
Erosion can cause the concrete slab to settle, but sometimes human error plays a part. If the soil is not properly compacted, or if the soil isn’t level and well-graded, the ground will erode faster. And sometimes, everything is done perfectly but the soil composition is soft; this can allow the soil to compress and the slab to sink.
What happened to my driveway when it was freshly poured?
Once upon a time, when your driveway was freshly poured, it was a smooth, even surface without a crack in sight. As the years have passed, that has changed. Your drive has endured changing seasons, extreme temperatures, erosion, and of course- the wear and tear of vehicles.
Who repairs concrete slabs?
Acculevel has been repairing concrete slabs since 1996. We’re a family-owned and operated company, serving Indiana and parts of the surrounding states. We’ve repaired driveways, garage floors, patios, and other concrete slabs for thousands of homeowners throughout our service area. We want to give you the details about concrete lifting you need, to make the best decision for your driveway and property.
Steps for Fixing a Sinking Drywell
Start by removing the grate from the drain and removing all of the debris. Be sure to remove leaves, dirt, and other sediment out of the way.
Resources
Mark raised a drywell in a driveway that sunk below grade. After using a chipping hammer and chisel to break away the sunken asphalt, Mark removed the grate and added gravel. He chose to use EZ Street ready-to-use asphalt and ProMasonry Type S Mortar mix to level out the drywell.
Why does my driveway sink?
A sinking concrete sidewalk or driveway can be caused by erosion from rainwater removing the soil under it, or a large root beneath it that has rotted over time. In either case, the only way to fix it and prevent it from sinking further is by jacking up and reinforce the ground under it.
How to raise a concrete slab back to level?
Another more expensive option is to hire a company to “mudjack” the walk into place. This involves drilling 1½” diameter holes in the concrete and pumping in cement to raise the slab back to level. The holes are then filled with concrete.
Can you shovel under a slab?
If not, you’ ll need to dig out around the sides of the slab to gain access below the walkway, then position a hydraulic jack under it to lift up the slab.
What to do if your driveway is sinking?
You don’t want to keep on patching your driveway if it’s going to keep on sinking, and you really need to make sure there’s not an underlying problem that could grow worse or even affect your nearby home’s foundation.
Is subsoil covered under warranty?
If your home is fairly new, contact your builder. Improper compaction of the driveway subsoil is an issue that should be covered under your home’s warranty.
How to fix low spots on asphalt?
Raising the low spots is a simple fix. Plan the project for a warm, sunny day. Set the bag of asphalt repair mix in the sun to make it more pliable for about an hour before you use it. Loosen any damaged asphalt from the sunken area with a putty knife, screwdriver or similar sharp object.
How to patch a low spot in a car?
Mound the final layer so it is higher in the middle. Tamp the final layer in place. Place a piece of scrap plywood over the patched area. Drive your car over the plywood several times to help flatten and pack the patching compound into the low spot.
What happens if you park in the same spot all the time?
If you park in the same spot all the time, you might notice four sunken asphalt spots. Rainwater converges in low spots to weaken the asphalt’s structure. Eventually cracks and potholes develop which make driveway repair necessary. Raising the low spots is a simple fix. Plan the project for a warm, sunny day.
