Patch Your Driveway in Time for Spring

This winter has thrown some crazy weather at us, with temperatures shifting as much as 30 degrees from day to day. These drastic temperature shifts can be extremely dangerous for your car, and your health, but the thing that will show the most wear and tear from this weather is your driveway. Over years of temperature shifts and roots growing under and around your driveway, you will probably notice a few cracks and divots starting to form in your concrete. If you leave these smaller cracks or holes in your driveway for too long, it will continue to expand and eventually create an expensive issue. You can easily take care of your driveway repairs and much more with the help of the DIY experts here at your local U-Pull-&-Pay.

Cut & Clean The Area

In order for patching material to get a good grip on your existing driveway material, you need to cut away the problem area and remove any loose gravel or debris. Start by working with an abrasive masonry blade or a circular saw to cut around the hole, creating as clean of an edge as you can. Once you have a straight edge on the damaged area, remove all of the excess material and any loose debris.

Prep The Cleaned Area

If your damaged area is on the edge or corner of your driveway, install a board or an angled piece of wood to keep your newly installed patchwork completely flush. If your repair is in the center of your driveway, you won’t have to worry about using any wood to keep your angles straight. After you do this, you need to pour crushed limestone or gravel into the hole. Tamp down the material using a hand tamp until it is firm and there are no major gaps. This layer will act as a strong base for your new asphalt to adhere to.

Apply The Repair Material

Once your base layer is fully tamped down and prepped, fill in the hole or crack with your asphalt repair material. There is a wide variety of material options on the market, so try to choose one that is as close to the color of your existing material as you can find. Fully tamp down the asphalt repair material. It helps to keep everything level by using a larger flat-headed hammer or mallet. You can further flatten out this material by fully covering the repaired area with plywood and driving over it to fully compact the patch. Continue to drive over the area until it is completely flat. Make sure that you take your time with this step, as any inconsistencies with this step will become more pronounced over time.

You can easily repair your cracked and crumbling driveway in as short as an afternoon with the help of the expert team here at U-Pull-&-Pay. Our expert staff will help you get all the parts and tips you need for any DIY projects you are looking to tackle.