Repairing Guides

how to repair uneven asphalt driveway

by Mr. Hassan Stoltenberg IV Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Fixing an Uneven Garage Driveway Approach

  • Remove the Sunken Area to Fix an Uneven Garage Driveway. The very first thing you need to do is remove the problem area. ...
  • Cold Patching for Asphalt. After you’ve made sure that all the leftover material is out of the hole, then it is time to begin adding cold patching material.
  • Leveling Off. ...

Part of a video titled HouseSmarts Fix it in 15 "Patching Asphalt Driveways ...
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Asphalt 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.

Full Answer

How much does it cost to repair a driveway?

  • All-weather blacktop patch: about $14 for 60 lbs.
  • Permanent pothole repair (55-lb.): $43
  • Premium cold asphalt (50-lb.): $17
  • Permanent pavement repair patch (60-lb.): $33
  • High-performance permanent pavement repair (50-lb.): $12

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 much does it cost to remove asphalt driveway?

The difficulty and expense in removing asphalt will depend in large part on the thickness of both the asphalt and the rock/gravel base. Typical costs: Costs for do-it-yourself asphalt removal might range from zero to $100-$500 or more depending on local dump/recycling fees; how much equipment needs to be rented; the size of the area being removed and whether it's attached to something that must be preserved.

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.

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How do you even out an asphalt driveway?

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.

How do you fix a bumpy asphalt driveway?

These are the ways you can fix the uneven surface and have a smooth driveway.Step 1: Choose a date when the weather is warm and sunny.Step 2: Collect the right equipment and tools.Step 3: Clean the area.Step 4: Coat the area with a thin mixture of asphalt.Step 5: Tamp the asphalt repair mix.

How do you fill depression on asphalt driveway?

How to fix depressions in asphaltA temporary fix for minor depressions is a simple asphalt patch on top of the existing pavement. ... Permanent repair of asphalt depressions requires that the affected area be removed, the poor sub-grade be replaced, and a full-depth patch be applied over the repaired sub-grade.

Can asphalt be laid over old asphalt?

Once the asphalt surface has reached the end of its lifespan, many wonder if it's time for a new surface entirely or if the old surface can be paved over. Both are options. The layer of asphalt over the original is called an overlay and can offer an additional 10-15 years to the life of the surface.

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 level an uneven driveway?

0:343:56How to Repair an Uneven Concrete Sidewalk or Driveway - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBefore we took the inger grinder to mom sidewalk we wanted to practice we cured a bag of concreteMoreBefore we took the inger grinder to mom sidewalk we wanted to practice we cured a bag of concrete plug the angle grinder into our dust collector.

Can you level asphalt?

Resurfacing asphalt paths or driveways with concrete, often referred to as whitetopping, provides an effective and cost-efficient method of leveling out deteriorated asphalt. It can save you up to 50 percent of your total repair costs. But whitetopping can only be done on asphalt with moderate deterioration.

Why is my asphalt driveway sinking?

Unfortunately, you have noticed that your driveway has started to sink, a condition that asphalt contractors refer to as pavement subsidence. There can be many causes of subsidence, including broken or leaking utility lines, poor drainage, improper installation, decomposing materials in the soil, and neglected repairs.

Why is my asphalt driveway raising?

Heaving is caused when moisture trapped under your asphalt freezes and thaws. When the moisture pockets freeze, they expand, which can push your driveway up as much as three to four inches. Once the area thaws the asphalt sinks to its original position which could cause cracks, breaks, and dips in your asphalt.

Should I resurface or replace my asphalt driveway?

Resurfacing is best for driveways that are aging or have more than 25% of the surface covered in light to moderate damage. If you resurface the entire driveway, it will look brand new. Replacing the driveway is necessary if your driveway has large potholes or several cracks wider than 1/4-inch.

Is it better to remove old asphalt?

Removal Saves You Money Over the Years With Fewer Repairs While laying asphalt over old concrete will cost less, you will end up paying more for it in the long run. If your asphalt driveway sits on top of a faulty base, it's more prone to developing potholes and cracks.

Can you repair a crumbling asphalt driveway?

If the asphalt has only had cracks appearing recently, you can easily repair them with the help of a reliable contractor. When you're repairing cracks and potholes, it's best to fill in any depressed areas and seal your driveway afterward to stop it from crumbling again any time soon.

How do you fix driveway depression?

0:371:35How To Repair Driveway Depressions - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWhen using pothole filler use your trowel to apply material into the crack enough to form a smallMoreWhen using pothole filler use your trowel to apply material into the crack enough to form a small mound slightly above the level of the surrounding.

Why is my asphalt driveway raising?

Heaving is caused when moisture trapped under your asphalt freezes and thaws. When the moisture pockets freeze, they expand, which can push your driveway up as much as three to four inches. Once the area thaws the asphalt sinks to its original position which could cause cracks, breaks, and dips in your asphalt.

How do you repair damaged asphalt?

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 do you harden cold patch asphalt?

Blow hot air over the patch until you cannot easily press into the material. Keep blowing as long as it takes to harden the patch, since it is mostly the air flow that cures it faster.

How long does it take for asphalt to cure?

Follow the manufacturer's directions on how long to allow the asphalt patch to cure. This might require several hours or even days before you can drive on the area. If you have made a very small repair, it might be easy to avoid. A larger repair is a different story. Mark it off with cones, tape, or some other way of reminding yourself to stay away from that area until the curing is complete.

What size cracks do you need for asphalt?

You will be repairing cracks that are less than 1/2 inch with "crack-filler," a product sometimes available in handy cartridges. But cracks 1/2 inch or wider require "asphalt cold-patch," a product sold by the bag or can.

How to prevent weeds from growing back into the same spot?

Even the best patching job can be compromised by hardy weeds growing back into the same spot. Prevent this issue by applying weed killer to the crack. Follow the manufacturer's instructions on how long to let the weed killer do its work before you move on to the next step.

Can you use hot asphalt to repair cracks?

But shopping for the patching compound for asphalt driveway repair is a bit more daunting for beginners. You will not be using hot asphalt, but rather, a product meant to fill in small cracks in asphalt. The size of the crack matters in determining what product you must purchase for asphalt driveway repair. You can repair cracks that are less than 1/2 inch with "crack filler," a product sometimes available in handy cartridges. Cracks 1/2 inch or wider require "asphalt cold patch," a product sold by the bag or can.

Can you fill a crack in a concrete driveway?

In addition, whether the crack is 1/2 inch wide or 2 inches wide, you can still fill it with plain old concrete.

Is asphalt a concrete drive?

Repairing asphalt driveways and fixing concrete drives both entail similar work, but asphalt is a more specialized product than concrete, meaning the materials you shop for to do a repair will be less familiar (well, to most of us, anyhow). So be prepared to put more effort into buying the right product for the job.

Is sealing an asphalt driveway preventive?

This is specifically a repair job, which is not the same as that referred to when we speak of sealing an asphalt driveway. The latter is maintenance that needs to be done periodically, regardless of the state of repair that your driveway is in; that is, it is preventive in nature.

What to do if your asphalt is too wide?

If the damaged section is too wide and extensive for DIY repair, call a professional asphalt maintenance contractor to have the old asphalt recycled in place , or your property repaved .

How to repair rutted asphalt?

If a small section of the asphalt is rutted but most of the aggregates are still intact, use an infrared asphalt heater to repair the damage. Position the machine over the affected section and wait until the asphalt is completely heated. Once the patch has been heated through, use a sturdy rake or shovel to spread the heated material back into place and tamp down until completely compacted. Allow to cure until the patch has hardened before reopening to traffic.

Why does asphalt deteriorate?

Moisture from rain, snow, drainage runoffs and spills is the major culprit that causes asphalt to deteriorate rapidly. When moisture seeps into unsealed asphalt, it gets trapped beneath the surface. During winter, this trapped moisture freezes and expands, causing the foundation to weaken and the surface to split.

What happens when you don't fill potholes?

When cracks and potholes are not filled right away, the damage tends to grow more extensive, especially in areas where there is high traffic, such as in parking lots. Constant stress from heavy vehicles and regular traffic can create depressions on the pavement surface or continuously chip off chunks of aggregate until the potholes grow too large for crackfill.

How long does it take for a sunken patch to cure?

For larger areas, we recommend using a vibrating plate compactor or an asphalt roller to get an even surface. Allow the patch to cure for at least 24 hours and apply sealcoat for a uniform finish that protects the patch.

How many categories of asphalt damage?

Below are four categories of asphalt damage based on severity. Our experts provide corresponding repair methods to counter them.

Why does my driveway have cracks?

Just like our skin, constant exposure to the sun, weather, natural elements, and stress can cause damage, brittleness and flaking. Soon enough, you will begin to notice cracks snaking their way along the length of your driveway or parking lot, as well as patches of moss or algae, discolorations and fading, depressions, ruts and uneven sections. ...

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