Fixing Driveway Cracks – What to do?

 


Driveways can crack for many reasons. Repeated freezing and thawing, heavy loads, tree roots and even shifts in the ground can cause damage. When we learn how to repair cracks in a concrete driveway, we may be able to stop them before they lead to bigger problems. Fortunately, filling cracks in a concrete driveway is a simple and relatively inexpensive DIY project.


1. Clean the Surface: First we need to use a leaf blower to sweep the leaves, acorns and dust from the surface of the driveway. If there are oil stains, a degreaser or primer is used to help clean and disguise the stains before sealing. A pressure washer is used to remove all visible weeds in the cracks. Bleach is used in a spray bottle. A 15-degree, general-cleaning tip should be used in the pressure washer to completely clean the surface. The driveway should be allowed to dry completely before filling and sealing cracks, but long-term treatment should be ensured if there is a clean surface to work with.

2. Patch Cracks and Holes: The best results are obtained if it takes time to repair the cracks in the driveway surface before applying the final coating of the sealant. For cracks less than 1/2 inch, use crack filler bottles. The product has some self-leveling properties, but cracks should be avoided by filling in excess so that the patch is not visible under the finished sealed coat. If accidentally the crack is large, a scraper is used to level and spread the filler. The filler should be allowed to dry for 4-8 hours before sealing the top. If using a driveway patch, it is advisable not to seal the top of it until it has healed for 4-6 weeks.

3.Clean Driveway and Mix the Sealant: Then if you have clear skies for 24 to 48 hours then this is the perfect time to brighten up your driveway. The driveway surface is once more cleaned using a broom or leaf blower. The sealant buckets are mixed one by one before opening the product and pouring by tapping on the reverse side.

4. Seal Edge by Hand: If the top of the driveway meets a structure such as a garage or sidewalk, an old paintbrush is used to cut around the edges. A squeegee would be good for covering the main area, but the edges look nicely finished when brushed with precision.

5.Pour Sealant Along Edge: Pour a line of sealant along the width of the driveway to seal the rest of the asphalt. Using a squeegee placed at a 45-degree angle, the sealant should be pulled and compressed on the driveway surface. A paintbrush can be used to manually draw the edges of the structure for a finished look. The finished driveway then needs to be healed for 24 hours.

6. Apply a Second Coat: Looking at the dry sealed surface, it can be seen that some areas may benefit from the second coat, especially with an old driveway. A strong seal must be created to protect a second layer surface. The second coat should be applied in the same manner as the first, the last part of the driveway should be sealed in an empty sealant container and the surface should be allowed to dry well 24 hours before walking on it and 48 to 72 hours before driving on it.

Website: https://www.asphaltdrivewaysandpatching.com/

Cell: (208) 989-2734 

Office: (208) 467-5368

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