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The best time to repair asphalt driveway cracks is before they grow from a simple DIY job into expensive repairs.
Large asphalt cracks allow water to seep into the foundation to cause permanent damage, which can result in premature driveway replacement.
To maintain the function and appearance of your asphalt surfaces, you’ll want to buy some quality asphalt crack filler from an asphalt repair products supplier near you.
In this blog post, we will explain how to fill driveway cracks less than one inch wide using asphalt crack filler.
Learning how to repair asphalt driveway cracks will help you maintain asphalt so you can postpone new asphalt installation.
Timeframe: one weekend, wait for dry weather conditions
You will need:
- Garden trowel, screwdriver, or similar tool
- Garden hose (we recommend against using a power washer)
- Rubberized asphalt crack filler
- Squeegee or scraper tool
Clear Asphalt Crack
Preparing your driveway for crack filling is an important step that can’t be skipped.
The asphalt crack filling product needs a clean surface for proper adhesion.
Use a garden trowel to scrape out dirt, vegetation, and other debris.
For this step, you may also use a screwdriver or similar tool.
Rinse Asphalt Crack
Use a garden hose to rinse out any remaining dirt and debris.
We recommend against using a power washer because the water could force itself underneath asphalt driveways and get trapped once you fill the cracks.
Trapped water is a recipe for weakened pavement and structural failure.
If you absolutely must use a power washer to clean the asphalt crack, wait for a long stretch of dry hot weather so the water will have enough time to evaporate before crack filling.
Even with using a garden hose, you’ll want to make sure enough time passes that there is no moisture left in driveway cracks.
Fill Asphalt Crack
If you are using a bottled asphalt crack filling product, you may need to shake the mixture before opening.
Tube products don’t require mixing, but will need the spout cut to a width smaller than the crack.
You’ll want to fill the crack with enough of the mixture so it’s level with surrounding pavement.
We recommend using a squeegee or scraper tool to smooth out asphalt crack filler.
Let Asphalt Crack Filler Dry
Wait 24 hours for the asphalt crack filler to dry.
Do not walk or drive on the repaired area during this time. Don’t be alarmed if the filler sinks into the crack.
Depending on the shape and depth of the crack, you may need to apply another layer of crack filler so the space is completely filled.
If this is the case, you’ll need to wait an additional 24 hours after applying a second layer.
B&E Seal Coat Products, Inc. is an asphalt and sealcoating product supplier dedicated to providing customers with quality asphalt crack fillers and other asphalt products.
If you are interested in finding the right asphalt crack filler for your driveway or parking lot, give us a call at (616) 608-6169.
