Patching loose asphalt in driveway

[Snuffy "Hub Cap" McKinney]

I need to patch a spot in an asphalt driveway that has separated from the aggregate. It's level and the aggregate underneath is solid. This is where one wheel turns to make a 90 degree angle into the garage. The rest of the driveway is fine. I don't need it to look good -- just hold up through the rainy season until I can do the whole driveway.

What do you folks think about this idea...

Remove the broken pieces, sweep it out clean, pour about 1/8 layer of fine sand, replacing the broken pieces, fill with /4-inch sand, then more fine sand to fill the gaps. Then mash some kind of cold asphalt seal down into the cracks and then over the whole thing and smooth it out.

Here's a photo of a 2-ft section.

Some info I checked out..

[Don Y]

Is your goal to prevent further water infiltration (think: heaving the remaining asphalt)? Or, just to keep that tire from dropping into the hole/depression?

[given that you are looking for a temporary fix, how extensive will your eventual "until I can do the while driveway" be?]

[trader_4]

aggregate. It's level and the aggregate underneath is solid. This is whe re one wheel turns to make a 90 degree angle into the garage. The rest of the driveway is fine. I don't need it to look good -- just hold up throug h the rainy season until I can do the whole driveway.

e sand, replacing the broken pieces, fill with /4-inch sand, then more fine sand to fill the gaps. Then mash some kind of cold asphalt seal down int o the cracks and then over the whole thing and smooth it out.

I've fixed similar with the cold patch stuff available at HD. Didn't have to fill in anything though. Just take the loose, old stuff out, down to what's solid, eg packed gravel. If that's more than several inches deep, then gravel or sand could be used. Having something to tamp it, compact I real well is key. They sell a tamper tool at HD if you need one. IDK where you are or how cold it is, but should be moderate temps at least before you do it.

The patched areas can last 10+ years. Problem is that once you have some areas like that, new ones will develop. That's what happened here, at least.

[Tony Hwang]

Isn't there any epoxy to fill all the cracks to hold the pieces together? Road crews always fill cracks with hot asphalt.

[Snuffy "Hub Cap" McKinney]

Keep from further deterioration and seal water out for a few months

[Snuffy "Hub Cap" McKinney]

from the aggregate. It's level and the aggregate underneath is solid. This is where one wheel turns to make a 90 degree angle into the garage. The rest of the driveway is fine. I don't need it to look good -- just hold up through the rainy season until I can do the whole driveway.

of fine sand, replacing the broken pieces, fill with /4-inch sand, then more fine sand to fill the gaps. Then mash some kind of cold asphalt seal down into the cracks and then over the whole thing and smooth it out.

I think it's too many cracks for epoxy and the broken pieces would still be loose. Maybe put down some kind of sealer first, then thin layer of sand, then broken pieces, etc. Cover all with sealer similar to roof seal. (?)

I'm looking at quick and sloppy work right now. Will be doing major work later in the dry weather.

[trader_4]

[e-mail]...

the aggregate. It's level and the aggregate underneath is solid. This is where one wheel turns to make a 90 degree angle into the garage. The rest of the driveway is fine. I don't need it to look good -- just hold up th rough the rainy season until I can do the whole driveway.

fine sand, replacing the broken pieces, fill with /4-inch sand, then more fine sand to fill the gaps. Then mash some kind of cold asphalt seal down into the cracks and then over the whole thing and smooth it out.

be loose. Maybe put down some kind of sealer first, then thin layer of san d, then broken pieces, etc. Cover all with sealer similar to roof seal. (? )

later in the dry weather.

If you use cold patch, tamp it in real good, compact it, you don't need to seal it. I wouldn't sealcoat it unless I was doing the whole driveway. And you need to let it cure for a few months before sealcoating.

[Don Y]

OK, but when you finally get around to it, will you be *replacing* the driveway? Or, just giving it a good "going over"? I.e., how much do you want to "save"...

[Snuffy "Hub Cap" McKinney]

At this point I can't answer that. At this point I will fill it to be level with the driveway and seal it against water as best I can.

[Don Y]

If you were preparing to "do a major overhaul", I'd have just suggested a bag of quikrete and plan on pulling it out with the rest of the driveway, later.

You might try your "city/town garage". In many places that I've lived, you could stop by and beg a 5G pail of cold patch (bring your own pail). Overfill the hole and use the weight of your car to compress it into the hole (the overfill helping to seal around the edges)

We had a neighbor try to use roofing paint (!) to fill a void. It was an interesting idea (essentially a large blob of rubber) but didn't fare well in the long run.

[Snuffy "Hub Cap" McKinney]

suggested

Thanks a lot, Don. Sounds perfect for this small job.

[trader_4]

Good way for you and some govt employee to wind up arrested. To cheap to buy it at HD like the rest of us?

[Don Y]

*Do* check with your town garage/maintenance yard! They usually have a pile of the stuff as they are often patching something (roadway) somewhere.

If you walk in wearing a 3 piece suit, dressed to the nines, they'll probably give you a brush off.

But, if you walk in like an average Joe, *asking* (not DEMANDING) some, my experience has been that most will oblige you -- with a sort of "here, but don't make a HABIT of it" warning.

I suspect they are bending the rules by giving stuff like this out -- even to "residents". But, as the folks who do this sort of work FOR the town are also the sorts who, of necessity, tend to do their own home repairs, they are often sympathetic.

I've acquired small (token) amounts of sand, road salt, cold patch, etc. with this approach.

But, again, make sure its EASY for them to satisfy your request. If THEY have to find a container for you to haul it away, you may be SoL -- just for THAT reason!

Cheer up: Spring will be there in another 3 or 4 months... :>

[Micky]

When they were putting down fresh blacktop on the road in front of our house 50 years ago, my mother went out and asked the guys to do something for where the mailman pulled his mailtruck over to our mailbox. It was a small mudhole, about 4" deep, a foot wide and 2 - 3 feet long (after that came the driveway, which was paved.)

They did a nice job that matched the road. She didn't pay anyone, I don't think, and she thought they were glad to do it, as if it was part of the job, at least for those who asked.

They were certainly in the best position to do it, with all the materials and machines right there.