How To Repair A Cracked Asphalt Driveway And Add Sealer Over It
Posted on: 13 July 2015
If hot weather and moisture have caused cracks to form on the asphalt driveway in your yard, learn how to fix them so that the surface is smooth. After completing the repair, seal the driveway to prevent damage in the future and to give the asphalt a shiny surface.
Use The Following Items
- broom
- water hose
- scrub brush
- detergent
- degreaser
- asphalt crack filler
- caulk gun
- putty knife
- plastic sheeting
- vinyl tarps
- asphalt sealer
- squeegee
- temporary fencing or sign
Clean The Driveway And Fill The Cracks
Use a broom to sweep up debris on the driveway's surface. Spray the driveway off with a water hose. Adjust the nozzle on the hose to a setting that produces high water pressure when cleaning out the cracks. This will help remove loose pieces of asphalt and dirt that are stuck in each one. Remove surface stains on the asphalt with a scrub brush and detergent mixed with water.
If grease stains are present, spray them with a degreaser and allow it to penetrate for several minutes before rinsing it away. Rinse the entire driveway off with water once all of the stains have been removed. Wait for the asphalt to dry. Insert a tube of asphalt crack filler into a caulk gun. Fill each crack evenly by squeezing the trigger on the gun. Smooth out the filler with a putty knife and wait a couple hours for it to dry.
Seal The Driveway
Cover the grass and plants that border the driveway with plastic sheeting or vinyl tarps so that they are not exposed to the asphalt sealer. Stand in one edge of the driveway. Pour the sealer across the asphalt surface and smooth it out with a squeegee. Continue moving over and adding more sealer until the entire driveway is covered. The sealer will take a couple days to dry. Place a piece of temporary fencing or a small sign near the end of the driveway to prevent anyone from walking or driving on the wet surface.
Once the sealer dries, remove the sheeting or tarps. The driveway will have a smooth, shiny surface. The sealer will prevent moisture and sunlight from causing damage. Use a water hose to spray the driveway off and remove surface stains on a regular basis to preserve the condition of the sealer. As long as you continue to take care of the driveway, the sealer will last for several years and keep the asphalt protected.
If this project seems like too much work for you, contact a local asphalt contractor like Robert R. Andreas & Sons Inc.
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