Insight To Help You Update And Repair The Appearance Of Your Front Driveway

23 December 2017
 Categories: , Blog


Keeping your asphalt driveway in good repair and well-maintained to help it last as long as possible can be an ongoing process. Here are some tips to help you repair and improve the look of your asphalt driveway.

Repair Asphalt Cracks

Cracks can form within the surface of your asphalt driveway, as the sun dries out and causes oxidation, and freeze-thaw patterns further damage the surface. It is important for you to monitor the surface of your asphalt and repair these conditions before they become more advanced. Eventually, your asphalt will crack apart and need replacement if you never complete repairs.

Remove vegetation growth from the interior of any cracks, as vegetation growth can further cause deterioration. You can use the sharp end of a flat-head screw driver or the end of a putty knife to dig out the vegetation. Clean out any surface cracks with a broom or pressure washer. Remove dirt, silt, and other rocks from erosion of the asphalt.

Fill cracks according to their size, using the appropriate filler material. For thin cracks, it is best to use a liquid asphalt filler that you squeeze from a tube. It is self-leveling, so fill the crack until the filler sits level with the sides of the crack. Use a cold patch filler, which comes in a bucket, to repair larger cracks. With a trowel, press the repair material into the crack, compacting it with a hand tamp.

Sealcoat Your Asphalt

After you have filled any cracks with an asphalt repair product, it is a good idea to apply a sealcoating application over the entire asphalt's surface. This liquid asphalt tar emulsion restores the asphalt's moisture and flexibility and covers the crack repairs and any sun oxidation. Hire a professional asphalt company to protect your asphalt with sealcoating every few years.

Add Driveway Edging

The edges of your asphalt driveway need to be supported with the right installation or materials to prevent its edges from crumbling and eroding. If the edge of your driveway abuts a landscaped area, the asphalt's edges should be formed to slope at a 45 degree angle. This shape should be installed into the asphalt when it is formed, so it you are repairing already installed asphalt that was beginning to crack, after repairing the edges, install a concrete boarder or install paving stones that sit level with the asphalt.

To install a driveway boarder, dig a trench the width of your planned boarder in the landscape next to the asphalt where you can install the boarder. Once the boarder is installed, the pressure and weight on the edges of your asphalt will be supported by the paving stones or concrete boarder to prevent cracking.

Contact a company, like Sealtech Asphalt Inc., for more help.


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