Repairing Blacktop or Asphalt Driveways

Seal coating can add life and beauty to your existing blacktop driveway, but you need to pay special attention to fixing problem areas before you begin applying seal coat. Most of this preparation work can take only a few hours to do, but can take a day to a month to properly dry. The larger the area you are fixing the longer the time you need for your patch to set.

Materials

Black Jack Blacktop Elastomeric Crack Filler and Perma-Patch for large areas are some options. Elastic crack filler will only work well if you live in a climate that doesn't have a wide temperature change. So since the majority of the US is subject to a range of temperatures I would suggest the Elastomeric filler. If you can find a rubberized crack sealer, that will also work well. Your local home improvement store should carry climate appropriate materials. Be sure to buy the better materials since you are doing this yourself. It will pay off in the long run and still be cheaper than having somebody do it for you.

Fixing small cracks

To fix smaller cracks below a ½ inch, you will want to use a pourable crack and joint filler or caulk type filler. Apply a bead of crack and joint filler as deep into the crack as possible. You will then take a trowel to smooth it onto the driveway. If the cracks are deep, let the first application settle in and dry. Repeat as necessary.

Fixing large cracks and small holes

To fix large cracks over a ½ inch wide and up to 1 inch deep, clean out the area of any lose debris and then use a blacktop repair patching material. Use a trowel to spread the patching material over the area and smooth it into the existing area. This will probably require multiple coats since the filler often sinks into the crack and shrinks a bit after it is dry.

Fixing large holes and deteriorating areas

You will want to start repairing large holes and deteriorating areas (sometimes called alligator backs) about a month before you want to apply sealcoat. After the patch has had time to cure, be sure to fill in any cracks. If you sealcoat or add crack filler to a large patch to soon it will not cure correctly and reduce the effectiveness of your patch.

Whether it is a small crack or large area to patch you need to be sure the area is clean, dry and remove any lose debris. If you don't want to have to patch the same area again, patience is critical. You can't rush this job or you will waste your time and money.

www.permapatch.com

http://www.askthebuilder.com/B283_Asphalt_Blacktop_Patching_Material.shtml

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