One of asphalt’s most awesome features is that it’s easy to maintain on your own. A little DIY asphalt patching can save you from expensive repairs down the road. We want your driveway to last as long as possible, so we don’t mind revealing a paving secret or two to help you out with that. Potholes are one of the most common problems with asphalt driveways, but as long as they’re not too deep, you can fix them yourself pretty easily.
To start, you’ll need the following things: cold patch (available at any home improvement store), a Shop-Vac or broom and a 4 x 4 wooden block. That’s it! Now, to fix the pothole:
1 1. Be patient. If you wait for a warm day to fix your pothole, it’ll go a lot more smoothly. This is because the asphalt will be more pliable and therefore easier for you to work with.
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3 2. Clear the pothole of all debris, such as gravel and weeds. For the best results, use a Shop-Vac to get rid of every last bit.
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5 3. Once the hole is clear, fill it with cold patch to about a half inch above the surface of your driveway, making sure not to touch it with your hands (unless you’re wearing gloves).
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7 4. Starting at the edges, press the cold patch down with the 4 x 4. Work toward the center until the cold patch is level with the driveway surface. (This process is called “tamping.”)
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9 5. Repeat the last two steps if the cold patch is not level with the driveway’s surface after you pack it down.
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11 6. Pat yourself on the back – you did it!
If you follow these asphalt repair tips carefully, patching your pothole on your own should be no problem. If you want to be absolutely certain the job is done well, or if you’re concerned there might be serious damage to your driveway, give the Atlanta asphalt patching pros at Prime Paving Contractors a call.
