Skill Level: Intermediate

Blacktop driveways are smoother and cleaner than gravel driveways. Unfortunately, asphalt driveways don't remain smooth and black forever. The forces of nature do their best to break down the surface. Unless your driveway is adequately maintained, cracks and potholes will appear. Grass can take over the edges and work its way through developing cracks.
Excessive heat, ultraviolet rays and substances such as salt, oil, gas and grease all take their toll. Without protection, that beautiful black driveway eventually can become a lumpy, crumbling mess. If you are willing to put forth a little effort, you can prevent these problems by sealing, protecting and maintaining your driveway. Lowe's is happy to provide this information as a service to you.

Tools & Materials

Tools

• Garage broom
• Stiff bristled brush
• Garden hose with spray nozzle
• Edger, square shovel or string trimmer
• Masonry chisel
• Mallet

Materials

• Sharp tool such as an awl or hook
• Gloves
• Wide squeegee or application brush
• 6" length of 4 x 4 (for tamping)
• Driveway sealer
• Household detergent or a commercially available asphalt driveway cleaner
• Asphalt crack filler and cold patch

Tips on How and When to Seal Your Driveway

• Do seal any time the temperature is 50 degrees Fahrenheit and rising.Do seal every two or three years, depending on the driveway's condition. Coating too often can result in a slick surface.
• Do allow 24 hours before using your newly-coated driveway. The driveway will feel dry before it is ready for traffic, but resist the urge to use it.
• Do always follow the manufacturer's directions on the product container.
• Do not seal when rain is expected within 36 hours.
• Do not seal brand new blacktop. The driveway must cure for 6 months in warm temperatures before sealing.
• Do not apply driveway sealer to concrete.
• Do not apply a thick coating. It will dry too slowly and can lead to "mud-cracking," a condition that looks like sun-cracked mud on the surface of the driveway.

Safety Considerations

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• When working with asphalt-based materials, observe the following safety guidelines:
• Avoid prolonged skin contact.
• Avoid excessive breathing of vapors.
• Wear old clothes and protective gloves.
• Keep materials away from high heat and open flames.
• Close containers after each use.
• Always follow the manufacturer's instructions.
• Wear safety glasses when using a mallet and chisel.

Different products are appropriate for potholes and cracks of different sizes. For example, you may need one filler for cracks up to 1/4", and another for cracks up to 1/2". Large cracks and potholes require yet another filler compound, asphalt cold patch. Follow the recommendations given by the manufacturer of the sealer you choose.

Repairing Cracks

1. Use a sharp object to remove loose material from cracks. A masonry chisel and mallet can be used to remove stubborn chunks of broken asphalt.
2. Cracks must be cleaned well, first with a broom and then with water pressure from a garden hose. For the patch to adhere properly, the crack must be free of all foreign material. If oil is present in the crack, scrub it with a stiff brush and detergent.
3. Allow the washed surfaces to dry.
4. Cracks in blacktop of less than 1/2" can be filled with products made especially for the purpose. These fillers may come in cans or caulk-type dispensers. Remember that different products are appropriate for cracks of different sizes. For example, you may need one filler for cracks up to 1/4" and another for cracks up to 1/2". Follow the recommendations of the manufacturer of the sealer you choose.
5. Cracks in a blacktop drive that are 1/2" and wider should be filled with asphalt cold-patch. This material is available in bags and cans. Pour it in the patch and tamp it well. Narrow cracks can be filled with crack filler which is available in cans, pour bottles and caulk cartridges.

Filling Depressed Areas

Depressed areas allow water to puddle in places on your driveway. If these areas are less than an inch deep, they can be filled with cold patch to match the surrounding area.

1. Sweep the area and wash with detergent and water. Allow it to dry.
2. Prime the area by applying driveway sealer.
3. Fill the depression with cold patch, using a trowel to level it with the surrounding area.
4. Tamp the patch with the end of a 6' length of 4 x 4. Fill as necessary with additional cold patch.
5. Allow your patch to dry 24 hours before sealing the entire driveway.

Patching Potholes

1. Dig out loose material and dirt to a solid base.
2. If possible, undercut the edges of the hole slightly to key the patch. Make sure that the edges of the hole are solid.
3. Clean the hole of dust and foreign material.
4. Fill the hole to within 4" of the surface with well-tamped gravel.
5. Apply cold patch material in layers less than 2" thick. Tamp each layer thoroughly. The next-to-last layer should fill the hole to within 1" of the top of the hole.
6. Allow the last layer to extend just above the surrounding surface. Tamp it firmly. Put a board or a piece of plywood over the hole and run back and forth over it with your car.
7. Allow the repair to cure for 12 to 36 hours before driving on it and 2 to 5 days before sealing the entire driveway.

Sealing Your Driveway

1. Edge the driveway to remove grass and weeds. Use an edger, line trimmer or a square shovel.
2. Sweep the driveway clean.
3. Sweep it again while a helper flushes the driveway with a garden hose. This helps remove dust and dirt trapped in small cracks. For proper adhesion, the surface must be dust-free.
4. Scrub gas or oil-stained areas with a household detergent and a stiff bristled brush. Using a sharp tool, dig out any areas that have been damaged by gas or oil and feel spongy. Some sealer manufacturers make a special primer to coat oil-stained areas.
5. Allow cracks, holes and depressions to dry enough so there is no standing water.
6. Fill all cracks and holes with the appropriate filler. Remember, cracks and holes of different sizes require different filler compounds. Use the recommendations provided by the makers of the sealer you have chosen.
7. Apply your driveway sealer with a wide squeegee or brush. Apply in thin coats, and thoroughly mix the sealer before and during application. Some manufacturers of sealer recommend that the surface be lightly misted with water from a garden hose during application.
8. Stay off the sealed surface for 24 hours. Use the empty sealer containers or some other means to block the driveway from unsuspecting visitors.
9. Step back and admire. Your driveway should look handsomely rejuvenated—and you did it yourself!