Asphalt Damage and Effective Asphalt Driveway Repair Methods

An asphalt pavement can only last for so long, before signs of damage start showing on its surface. Just like our skin, constant exposure to the sun, weather, natural elements, and stress can cause damage, brittleness and flaking.

Soon enough, you will begin to notice small cracks snaking their way along the length of your driveway or parking lot. You're also going to find patches of moss, faded spots, ruts, and uneven sections in the asphalt.

Below are four categories of asphalt damage based on severity. Our experts provide corresponding asphalt driveway repair methods to counter them.

Category 1: Oxidation

Oxidation causes asphalt to fade and turn gray, especially if it is at least a few years old. Fresh asphalt generally has a rich black color thanks to a substance called bitumen. Bitumen is a tar-like substance used as binder that holds together the aggregates in asphalt mixes.

With constant exposure to the sun, bitumen slowly evaporates, while leaving behind the aggregates. This gives asphalt a faded appearance and indicates it is becoming brittle as it dries out.

Unfortunately, the fading is often uneven. This means that some sections might appear darker or lighter than others, making the surface of your asphalt look unsightly.

The Solution: Sealcoating

Give your asphalt the protective make-over it deserves by applying a fresh coat of sealer. Sealcoating not only brings back the beauty of your asphalt and boosts its appeal.

It also protects your pavement from the elements and forms a film that prevents moisture from seeping into the foundation. Check out our comprehensive sealcoating guide for methods, tips, techniques, and best practices.

Category 2: Cracks and Minor Potholes

Moisture from rain, snow, drainage runoffs and spills is the major culprit that causes asphalt to get damaged rapidly. When moisture seeps into unsealed asphalt, it gets trapped beneath the surface. During winter, this trapped moisture freezes and expands, causing the foundation to weaken and the surface to split.

Newer asphalt with most of its bitumen content still intact can counter the effects of this continuous freeze-thaw cycle. It does so by flexing to accommodate the expansion of frozen moisture. However, as asphalt ages and loses its flexibility, it becomes more brittle and vulnerable.

Instead of flexing, the surface splits and cracks. This means that more moisture can soak into the foundation and cause more damage. Cracks that are not filled in a timely manner grow larger and form into potholes.

The Solution: Crack and Pothole Repair

Asphalt crack repair using the RY10 Pro and hot pour crackfiller

How to repair asphalt driveway cracks:

Remove all vegetation growing out of the cracks and potholes with a heat lance or torch. Use a crack cleaning machine, sweeper, or a push broom with stiff bristles to clean off loose debris and sand.

Hose the entire surface of the pavement with clean water, or use a power washer. The idea is to prepare crack for filling. Allow the entire area to dry thoroughly.

For cracks that are less than ½” use cold-pour crackfill. Apply hot-pour rubberized crackfill on cracks that are 1” or less.

For wider networks of cracks that looks like the skin of an alligator, you can use Gator Patch. For gaping potholes, we recommend using the cold patch asphalt repair.

If you are repairing during winter, following the ideal crack repair application temperature can ensure the best results. 

Asphalt Kingdom offers in-depth and reliable guides to conduct DIY cracks and potholes. Check out the following resources pages: Guide to Asphalt Crack Repair and Asphalt Patching. 

Category 3: Large Holes, Ruts, and Uneven Depressions

When cracks and potholes are not filled right away, the damage tends to grow extensively. This happens especially in areas where there is high traffic, such as in parking lots.

Constant stress from heavy vehicles and regular traffic can create depressions on the pavement surface. It can also chip off chunks of aggregate until the potholes grow too large for crackfill.

The Solution: Cut, Patch, and Sealcoat

When the holes on your pavement are too large and extensive for crack filler, we recommend cutting out the damaged section. You can cut the section using a gas-powered pavement saw.

Clear the section of loose debris and pour enough pothole repair patch until the material flush is with the rims.

Tamp down with a handheld metal tamper until completely compacted. Add some hot mix asphalt and tamp until the surface of the hole is even with the rest of the pavement. Do the same for sunken and distressed areas in the asphalt.

For larger areas, we recommend using a vibrating plate compactor or an asphalt roller to get an even surface. Allow the patch to cure for at least 24 hours and apply sealcoat for a uniform finish that protects the patch.

Category 4: Crumbling Asphalt

If you’re using a leaf blower and you see rocks getting blown away, your asphalt might need to be repaved.

The Solution: Repaving Damaged Asphalt

Depending on the extent of the actual damage, there are two options that you can choose:           

1. If a small section of the existing asphalt is damaged, use an infrared asphalt heater to fix it. Position the machine over the affected section and wait until the asphalt is completely heated.
2. Once the patch has been heated through, use a sturdy rake or shovel to spread the heated material back into place. Finally, tamp down until completely compacted. Allow to cure until the patch has hardened before reopening to traffic.
3. If the damaged section is too wide, call a professional asphalt maintenance contractor to have the old asphalt recycled in place. Extensive damage also requires repaving.

RY2X2 INFRARED ASPHALT HEATER

• Reheats asphalt for easy repairs
• For asphalt seams, alligator cracks, & more
• One-person operation

Learn More About Infrared Heating

Asphalt repair can be very costly, that is why we highly recommend that you fill cracks and potholes right away. We also recommend applying sealer to your driveways and parking lots every 2 to 3 years. This will help prevent extensive damage and having to spend too much for repair and restoration.