How to Maintain and Repair a Blacktop Driveway

How to Maintain and Patch a Blacktop Driveway

Asphalt or blacktop driveways are easy to maintain and can last for several years with proper care. If you have an asphalt driveway, here a few time saving tips to keep your driveway in excellent condition.  

1) Proper Maintnance is step one. Keep your driveway sealed. A driveway in good condition will stay that way with proper maintenance. It is a good idea to seal your asphalt driveway with a coal-tar or emulsified asphalt sealer regularly. Some manufactures recommend sealing your asphalt driveway every couple of years, especially in climates where there are extreme weather conditions such as freezing winters and stifling hot summers. Always read the directions on the sealant container before you being.  

2) Once your driveway is sealed, check it periodically for cracks. To fix narrow cracks less than ½ inch wide, first clean out all the loose gravel and debris with a wire brush or stiff broom. Do not use water or a high-pressure hose as you will need a dry driveway to seal the crack. After all the debris is removed from the crack, apply asphalt crack filler using a caulking gun. Then use a trowel or a putty knife to smooth the compound and let the caulking compound set. Take care not to overfill the crack as it may bulge and expand, leaving a bigger problem than what you started with. Once the calking is dry, seal each repaired crack with asphalt sealer. 

3) To fix cracks wider than ½ inch, you will need to mix sand and blacktop sealer into a putty-like consistency in a throwaway aluminum pan such as a pie plate. Use a trowel or putty knife to pack the paste into the crack and smooth it flush with the surrounding surface. If the paste settles deeper into the crack, add more paste as needed to level the patched crack. Once the crack is filled, seal each repaired crack with asphalt sealer.  

4) Larger holes and cracks will need a cold-mix asphalt-patching compound instead of a caulking compound. Before you begin, read the instructions on the cold-mix asphalt package.

To repair small potholes, dig out any loose paving, remove all debris and fill the hole with gravel to within four inches of the top of the hole. Tap the gravel filler with a piece of wood to pack it securely. With a trowel or shovel, apply the cold-mix asphalt patch compound in one-inch layers. Pack each layer firmly and use the trowel to remove any air bubbles. Once the hole is filled level with the surrounding surface, sprinkle the surface with sand and drive a vehicle back and forth over the patch to pack it down. Fill and pack until the patch is level with the surrounding surface. Let the patch dry thoroughly. Then coat the patch with liquid asphalt sealer. If the damage is very extensive, such as a crack the width of the drive way or a hole larger than 6-8 inches across, it is best to call in a professional asphalt team to use hot asphalt to fill the hole.

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