How to Patch Potholes in Your Driveway

Winter is almost here, and that means a lot of snow, ice, and slush is on the way. Not only does this mean extra layers for you, but it means extra damage for roads, sidewalks, and your asphalt driveway. If you currently have any cracks or potholes in your driveway, expect them to get worse this winter due to the weather conditions. One way to prevent this is by patching your driveway before the first snowfall. This is a quick job that can be done in less than an hour and will save you time and money down the road. Stasi Brothers has provided you with a quick, concise guide on patching your asphalt driveway in seven easy steps.

1. Remove any objects and debris from the hole. It is not necessary to remove every particle, but large objects should be removed either by hand or with a shovel.

2. Pick up some cold asphalt patch at a local hardware store. Most places sell this in 50 lb bags or 5 gallon buckets. How much patch you need is dependent on the size of the pothole, but anything smaller than a one foot diameter up to four inches deep should be fixed with one 50 lb bag.

3. Pour the asphalt patch into the pothole. If you cannot lift the bag or the bucket, you can shovel it in. Stop when you have poured about two inches of the material into the hole.

4. Compress the asphalt patch. This is the key to a good fix. You can compress this with a hand tamp or a shovel, but whatever you use, make sure to press it down tight.

5. Repeat this process of pouring and compressing until the hole is filled and the patching material is flush with the rest of your driveway.

6. Cover the patch with a piece of cardboard or plywood for 48-72 hours. This isn't necessary, however it will produce better results.

7. Remove the cover and enjoy your patched up asphalt driveway!

Remember: only use this method if you have one or two small potholes. If your driveway is covered in cracks in holes, it may be time to repave it. If you live in Nassau County, call Stasi Brothers at 516-997-PAVE. You can also like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for more asphalt tips.

Driveway Repairs: Sealcoat or Repave?

Whether it is for resale value or maintaining a reputation around your neighborhood, homeowners know the importance of good curb appeal. Though it can greatly help or hurt a home's first impression, many people overlook the importance of an aesthetic driveway. If yours has cracks, holes, or other imperfections you have two options of fixing it; sealcoating and repaving. We will discuss the differences, pros, and cons of both methods below.

Sealcoating

As Sealmaster explains it, asphalt pavement is composed primarily stone held together by a binder known as asphalt cement. Over time, this binder begins to deteriorate due to a number of things such as U.V. Rays, water and rain, and daily/seasonal heating and cooling cycles which cause the pavement to expand and contract. Preserving this binder is the key to maintaining an appealing, healthy driveway.

The process of sealcoating involves installing a protective layer, known as a sealcoat, on the top level of your driveway. When applied correctly, this coating fills in minor cracks, provides a slip-resistant surface, and provides a beautiful black finish that makes your driveway look new.

Sealcoating should be used as a means of maintenance, it is not effective if your driveway is already badly degraded. When regularly applied as part of a maintenance schedule, sealcoating can more than triple the life of your asphalt driveway. How often you should sealcoat your driveway depends on what part of the world you live in and the climate conditions of your region. Contact a local paving contractor and ask if it's time for a fresh sealcoat.

Repaving

While sealcoating is used to maintain your new driveway and patch up minor impurities, repaving is the only option for driveways with severe deterioration. This is a complicated process that involves digging up your existing asphalt, repairing any weak spots in the foundation, then applying a brand new surface on top.

After your driveway gets repaved, your maintenance program should reset in order to preserve your investment for as long as possible. This means sealcoating every six months to a year, depending on where you live. Ask the contractor you hired what schedule is best for your driveway.

While repaving essentially gives you a new asphalt driveway, it is very expensive, costing several thousand dollars more than a sealcoat. Because of this, repaving should only be used when your driveway has decayed so much that a sealcoat would not help.

Stasi Brothers has been sealcoating and repaving residential driveways and commercial parking lots on Long Island for decades, leaving customers satisfied for more than 50 years. If you live in Nassau County and need your driveway repaired or repaved, call 516-997-PAVE today. You can also like us on Facebook to stay up to date with company news and receive contracting service-related facts and tips like these.