Filling in driveway cracks becomes necessary as your asphalt driveway ages. Climates with heavy freeze-thaw temperatures are harder on asphalt than moderate climates. You’ll need to promptly address driveway cracks in any asphalt to ward off further damage. Don’t put off this maintenance issue. It’s easy to forget about it after you pull into the garage and go about your day. Going the DIY route is doable, but it’s a messy job. You must do the job properly or have an ugly mess that can destroy driveways and stain concrete.
Filling Asphalt Cracks
Fill asphalt cracks when the weather is moderate, with no chance of rain for at least 24 hours. Sweltering weather deters the proper setting of crack-sealing products. Cold weather isn’t conducive to effectively sealing the damaged areas. Many homeowners call a licensed asphalt contractor for this messy job.
You must follow specific steps when filling asphalt cracks in your driveway. They aren’t complicated. You’re better off addressing this problem when the damages are barely visible. A professional asphalt company is better equipped to fill large cracks before sealcoating a driveway for longevity. Large trees near the area have roots that are often responsible for the damage. You, or a landscaping company, must address this problem before proceeding.
Preparing To Fill Driveway Cracks
Filling driveway cracks requires essential hand tools and equipment you can rent from a local hardware store. You can use caulk-style filler, but it doesn’t last as long as the melt-in filler highway crews use. Gather all of the essential equipment, tools, and crack fillers before starting this project. Once you begin this project, your driveway is off-limits.
You’ll need a flathead screwdriver, hammer, trowel, wire brush, gloves, work clothes, and compressed air gun or leaf blower. Use a diamond wheel saw to widen and clear old filler from cracks. You’ll need a propane torch to melt the filler, which doesn’t shrink like quick fixes. Buy Latex-ite Pli-Stix joint and crack filler, and Latex-ite Trowel patch or similar products. The width of the cracks will determine the diameter of the filler.
Preparing The Asphalt Cracks
Sweep your driveway to reduce dust and debris before you start. Lay the crack filler rope out to soften while you begin cleaning out the cracks. Be diligent when scraping out the weeds and dirt from the gaps for a successful finished product. Use a screwdriver, metal brush, and a diamond saw if deep cleaning is necessary. Next, use the compressed air gun or leaf blower to remove all dust and remaining debris before proceeding.
Filling The Driveway Cracks
Use a screwdriver to take the softened crack-filling rope and stuff it into the cracks. Use a hammer to compress the product to about 1/16th of an inch below the surface. If it sinks too far, add more filler. Next, you’ll melt the filler with the torch so it sinks in and fills the crack. Now you’re ready to top it off with the trowel patch product. Rope your driveway off. The cure time is a minimum of 24 hours.
Filling driveway cracks is a time-consuming, tedious, dirty job. If you’re rethinking how you want to spend your weekend, call TruSeal Asphalt to maintain your asphalt driveway. You’ll be glad you did!
Ian Chaput is the President and Founder of TruSeal Asphalt & Concrete, with a rich background in business and marketing from the University of Delaware and extensive experience in the asphalt trade. Under his leadership, TruSeal has become a testament to his commitment to exceptional customer service and quality workmanship. Ian oversees the company’s strategic planning, customer relations, and social media presence, driving forward the values that have made TruSeal a trusted name in the industry.
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