Step-By-Step DIY Crack Patching for Your Asphalt Driveway

Has the long, relentless winter left your asphalt driveway with unsightly cracks this spring? Winters are generally the worst season for asphalt, as water from melted snow can penetrate the surface of your driveway. Over time, this water constantly freezes and thaws, expanding more and more with each cycle and eventually causing the asphalt surface to crack.

If you are planning on doing a little bit of DIY damage control this spring, follow these steps to patch up your driveway's cracks and holes.

1. Buy some cold asphalt patch from a local hardware store. One 50 pound bag should sufficiently fill most small-medium sized cracks and potholes up to one foot in diameter.
2. Remove any debris from the cracks you are sealing. You don't need to get every microscopic particle out, but remove any large rocks and other objects before moving on to the next step.
3. Pour the asphalt patch into the crack. If the bag or bucket is too heavy to lift, you can shovel it in.
4. Compress the asphalt mix with a hand tamp. This is the key to a successful patching. If you don't have a hand tamp, a shovel will also work; just make sure to press it down tightly.
5. Repeat steps 3 & 4 until the crack is completely filled and level with the rest of your driveway.
6. Cover the patch for 2-3 days. This isn't necessary, but covering up the patch with a piece of plywood for 48 hours will allow it properly cure and will produce the best results.

This method is effective for a few small cracks or potholes, but if your driveway is covered, it is best to call in the pros. Roccie's Asphalt has served Connecticut and New York homeowners and businesses alike for more than 50 years. Whether you need your driveway repaired or repaved, call us for a free quote at 1-888-88ROCCIES.