Help! My driveway has cracks!

One of the most damaging things for any asphalt pavement is cracking. Cracks allow moisture to penetrate the pavement. In the winter this moisture can freeze causing a multitude of more serious problems. In the warmer months weeds or grass can take root in the cracks causing extensive damage. There is one thing for sure; a crack is a future pothole waiting to happen.

Of course professional crack repair using specialized hot applied materials is best but if the cracks are not too numerous or large often the homeowner can be the first line of defense against the inevitable damage caused by cracks in asphalt pavements.

First we need to mention that not all cracks are created equal. If you have what is referred to as “alligator” or “chicken wire” cracking (terms used because the cracks resemble alligator skin or chicken wire) sealing won’t help. This is characterized by numerous cracks close together forming a block pattern resembling the terms above. If this condition has existed long enough the area may be sunken slightly. These areas are already potholes and need professional repair. While they may not look like a pothole; all it takes is for one block to come out, and the entire area will soon loosen and come apart leaving a pothole. These areas should be professional repaired before this happens to minimize the damaged area and avoid more costly repairs later.

We also need to mention that pavement “sealers” (if you seal your asphalt yourself) are not suitable for filling cracks. Sure, you can put enough pavement sealer in the cracks to make it appear they are filled, but pavement sealers are made for the surface, not for cracks, and will quickly crack themselves and leave the crack open to damage again.

For common cracks there are many products available in home & hardware stores. We can’t possibly know all the “brands” so look for one that contains rubber, the more the better. These products are usually packaged in gallon containers or caulking gun tubes although the tubes are sometimes far more expensive if you have very many cracks to fill. Reading the labels to find the best ingredients may be difficult but in general, if the store has more than one grade of product this is not the time to choose the “bargain” brand.

Now get ready for some serious work. 
First the cracks must be prepared and cleaned. This means all vegetation must be removed. Sometimes this will require several treatments of a weed & grass killer (be sure it contains no petroleum products). You want to be 100% sure any vegetation is dead all the way to the roots or it will re-appear through the sealed crack. Then you may need to use some type scraper like a putty knife or screwdriver to be sure to get all the vegetation & roots possible out of the cracks.

Now the cracks need to be cleaned. If you have a leaf blower you may be able to scrape any dirt, gravel, or other debris loose then blow the cracks clean. A pressure washer may be used if care is taken to not leave any muddy residue on the sides of the crack walls and not to “blast” water underneath the surrounding pavement. If water is used the crack must be allowed to dry thoroughly before proceeding. Getting the cracks clean & free of debris is a most important step to achieve good results.

Now we can begin filling the cracks. Pick a warm sunny day with no rain forecast for 36-48 hours. Double check to be sure the cracks are still clean & dry. Most products come in packages with a spout of some kind. Apply the filler just until it is flush with the surface. You may want to keep a putty knife or old spatula handy in case you get a bit too much so you can smooth out the excess.

Once you have completed filling the cracks wait to walk or drive on the area for at least several hours depending on the weather to give the filler time to begin drying.

You may also find that as the filler dries it shrinks somewhat, leaving the filler below the pavement surface. If this happens you need to go over the cracks again to be sure the finished product is level with the pavement surface.

If your driveway has cracks make this a priority on your “to do” list. It is an investment that will pay for itself many times over by saving more extensive maintenance and repairs and by helping your pavement last as long as possible.

Perhaps after reading all this you have concluded that filling cracks is not as easy as it might seem; especially if you have a lot to do. If you are not physically able or don’t have the time, contact a professional contractor. They not only have the manpower, but a professional contractor will have specialized equipment to more effectively prepare the cracks and a higher quality product to produce a better, longer-lasting, finished result.

We invite you to search for a member contractor of the NPCA. If there is one in your area all provide free estimates with no obligation and guarantee their work. To do a quick-free search just click here.

If you have other driveway related questions visit our discussion forums, we have included a forum just for residential questions and answers. Click here to visit the forums.

This article provided as a public service of the National Pavement Contractors Association.

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