Potholes aren’t just an eyesore in your otherwise smooth asphalt driveway; they can also be a hazard as well. Left without repair, a pothole can continue to expand outward and down, causing pavement failure and potential vehicle damage or even a liability exposure to the homeowner.
If you’re looking at a pothole that needs repair, you’re probably wondering what the best way to fill a pothole is? Depending on the pothole’s size, you can do it yourself if you have the right equipment.
To patch a pothole in an asphalt driveway, here are the tools you’ll need:
- Safety glasses
- Work gloves
- Chisel
- Hammer
- Tamper
Once you have your patch repair medium, it’s time to get started. Fall weather is the best time to fill in a pothole in an asphalt driveway, with temperatures between 50 and 65 degrees being optimal for the asphalt to set.
Here are the steps to patch a pothole in your asphalt driveway.
1. Prepare the Pothole
First things first, assess the hole you’re able to fill. Make sure the hole is slightly larger at the bottom than the top, scraping the sides of the hole as needed to create the right angle. The hole should be at least two inches deep.
To ensure maximum adherence to the existing asphalt and surrounding area, remove any debris (rocks, dirt, grass) or loose asphalt pieces. Place some compacted, crushed stone in the bottom of the hole and tamp it down with the tamper.
2. Fill the Pothole
Now that you have prepared the pothole, it’s time to fill it. Follow the directions on the asphalt patch product you purchased. Different products have specific requirements for layering and thicknesses for the best results.
With an asphalt driveway, the patch should be slightly higher than the level of the driveway. Once tamped down, the patch will be level with the existing driveway height. If it sinks in at all, you will need to add more patch material to get the best adhesion and long-lasting repair.
3. Leave the Pothole Alone
Drying and curing times vary by product, so be sure to give your pothole repair plenty of time before walking or driving over it. Most products need at least 24 hours for the repair to harden. Block off this section of your driveway so no one accidentally messes up your handiwork.
Depending on the amount of preparation needed, this job can be completed in an afternoon. However, you may want to spend your weekend doing other things instead of patching a hole in your driveway.
Let 410 Asphalt Complete the Repair
If you’d rather not fix the hole in your asphalt driveway yourself, 410 Asphalt can do the work for you. Call us today at 410-ASPHALT (410-277-4258) to get a free estimate on your asphalt repair.
We’ll schedule a weather-appropriate time to come out and do the repair, so you can spend time doing the things you actually enjoy–like checking off your to-do list because you found the best (and easiest) way to fill a pothole.