One often overlooked part of the yard is the driveway – until something happens that makes it hard to ignore (eg, a child’s injury while riding a bike or a punctured tire on the family vehicle). This brings us to the question, is it time to repair your driveway? Do a visual check. Following is what to look for.
Are there cracks, missing pavers, uneven swelling in places? These can grow into bigger problems if not addressed. As you conduct your visual inspection, make a list of the problems and divide them into two categories: repairs you can make yourself and repairs that require a professional.
One of the most common problems with driveways is cracks in the asphalt. This can be relatively easy to fix.
How to Repair Cracks in Driveway Asphalt
This can be done in four simple steps.
1. Thoroughly Clean: Sweep surface dust and debris away. Follow that by a good power wash.
2. Remove Oil Spills & Other Stains: Do this by applying asphalt cleaner. You can get this from any major home improvement store. This is an extremely important step because petroleum, which is oil-based, will soften the asphalt and make it much easier for water to seep through.
3. Apply Asphalt Crack Filler: You want to overfill the crack to the point where it spills a bit over the surface. Simply smooth this “overspill” out.
Note: Before you fill cracks, you may want to widen the base, which acts as an anchor and supports a stronger surface. For particularly deep cracks, fill with sand first (almost to the surface) before applying crack filler.
4. Apply a Sealant: There are many different types of sealer. Whichever one you choose, be sure to read the instructions, then apply and wait for it to dry.
That’s it!
One final note on driveway repair: Watch the weather forecast and try to schedule your repairs for when there is no rain for several days.
When to Hire a Driveway Repair Specialist
If you have severe cracks, lots of missing pavers or other structural problems, be sure to consult a local driveway repair specialist to make sure the job is done right so it doesn’t cost you more down the line.
