If you have an asphalt driveway, cracks are inevitable. If you catch cracks while they are small and shallow, they’re fairly easy to repair. But what if you don’t notice the cracks until they’re larger? Larger cracks require a different approach, so unless you know how to fill cracks in an asphalt driveway, you’ll probably need some advice. In this post, we’ll go over our best recommendations for property owners who are dealing with large cracks in their asphalt driveway.
Call a Professional
The absolute best solution to repair large cracks in your asphalt driveway is to call a professional to do the repair. Large cracks, or cracks over ½” in width, are a serious structural impairment to an asphalt driveway and really do require specialized repair. These cracks often extend below the asphalt top layer and into the substrate, potentially compromising the physical integrity of the entire driveway. Even with the very best at-home repair, these areas will always be prone to movement and water seeping in, creating a weak spot in the driveway that will have to be dealt with again in 5-10 years. For these reasons, hiring a professional asphalt contractor to handle the repair of large cracks is always the best bet.
Home DIY
If you must attempt to repair a large crack in your asphalt driveway on your own, start by thoroughly cleaning and smoothing out the crack as much as possible. Properly preparing the crack for repair is one of the most important steps in the process and will give you a much better and longer lasting end result. After the crack is completely smoothed, all loose debris has been removed, and is completely dry, it’s time to attempt repair with these steps:
- Add gravel substrate until the crack is no more than 2” deep
- Tamp the gravel substrate down until it is very tightly packed
- Mix and pour in cold-process asphalt repair mix
- Tamp the asphalt repair mix down very tightly
- Continue to pour in asphalt repair mix and tamp it down until the crack is full and level with the existing driveway
Once the crack is repaired, allow it to cure for at least 30 days before applying any sealcoat or driving over the area with anything heavy. After the 30 day cure period is over, we recommend sealcoating the entire driveway using a high-quality sealant made specifically for asphalt.
Proper Asphalt Driveway Maintenance
For the longest lifespan from your asphalt driveway, we recommend repairing any cracks as soon as you notice them, but definitely before they grow to ½” or wider. Sealcoat your asphalt driveway 60-90 days after it is first poured, then every 2-5 years as needed. Finally, resurface your asphalt driveway every 10 years to add a completely new top layer of asphalt along with repairing any underlying damage. Make asphalt driveway maintenance easy by using a qualified contractor who can conduct preventative maintenance inspections and repairs on a regular schedule.
Trust TopWest Asphalt for the Best Asphalt Repair in Southwest BC
If you need help filling cracks in your driveway, TopWest Asphalt is here to help. We’re conveniently located in Abbottsville and service all of southwest British Columbia, including the entire Vancouver metro area. To request a free estimate for your asphalt project, contact us at 604 755 0300 or request a free estimate online.
