Asphalt driveways can develop potholes and cracks over time, with most of the damage coming from being exposed to the elements. Having asphalt driveway repairs Sydney done can be a quick and affordable way to get your driveway back to like-new condition. The process is fairly simple and can be completed in just a weekend for basic repairs.
Asphalt is the most recommended material when it comes to the repair of driveways. Due to its economical use as well as it is very simple to fix, they are very durable. You need to have a repair done on your asphalt driveways regularly when compared to the concrete driveways.
Getting Started
To begin repairing asphalt paving, you will want to first prime each area that you want to patch. The repairs will be more durable if you use a primer, and may also be better connected to the asphalt surrounding the patched area. In general, asphalt coating or liquid asphalt is used to prime the area surrounding the crack or hole in your driveway.
This step just takes a few moments, but you will want to try and remove any obvious debris in the area, including grass, pebbles, and other large objects that may keep your patch from bonding to the surrounding asphalt.
To make the process of cleaning the hole a little easier, you can use water to flush the hole or crack. Make sure that the pressure is high enough to remove small grass and rock pieces, and allow the area to dry thoroughly before applying the sealant to prime the area for repair.
It may take a few hours to dry well, so opting to make repairs on a warm, sunny day is ideal if you want to complete the project quickly. After cleaning and priming the area, it is time to move on to filling larger holes and cracks.
When To Fill?
Any crack or pothole that is larger than about two to three inches will need to be refilled with asphalt. Most homeowners rely on small tubes of asphalt paving that are used in a caulking gun. The tubes are much simpler to work with, especially when repairing smaller holes and cracks in the driveway.
To make these repairs, all you need to do is fill each hole with the rubber asphalt compound that you have chosen. To make the filled area smooth, you can use a flat edged tool, such as a garden hoe, to smooth and flatten the surface.
You may occasionally need to make larger asphalt repairs on your driveway than a small amount of asphalt can handle. In these cases, you will want to purchase a mix that contains larger pieces of gravel and sand along with the glue-like asphalt.
You will want to follow the package directions for mixing the asphalt and fill each pothole or large crack with enough of the mix to make it level with the surrounding area. If you do have some uneven surfaces after repairs, driving over the surface can push the repaired asphalt down, making it even with the surrounding area.
Cold Press or Hot?
When choosing the asphalt mixture you need for larger sized repairs, cold-pressed asphalt is the best option for homeowners. Hot asphalt can be difficult to work with when you don't have the right tools, and can even be dangerous if handled improperly. Cold-pressed asphalt mixes are available through local stores, as well, providing you with an easy and affordable way to repair your driveway.
Asphalt repairs might require a complete cleanup of the area that required to be worked on as asphalt repairs are similar to the other types of repairs. Imagine yourself as a doctor and the pothole as a wound; cleaning the wound before the operation is a must. Before fixing, cleaning the area up is the most important thing you need to do here.
If you have taken immediate response the moment you post a pothole, there would be no growth in the area and the need for expenses such as weed killers would be out of the picture, as this is an additional expense in your asphalt repair. On the pothole as well, get rid of the unnecessary and loose asphalt.
To get in the way of your repair, you don't want this loosened and dry asphalt. It may require you to re-work on asphalt repairs all over again; leaving them there in the pothole may cause unwanted results or worst. Clean up the area by brushing up all the specks of dust and whatnot. To ensure that everything is immaculately clean, you need to wash the area before filling it.
