Potholes or other damage to an asphalt road can often be filled with a cold asphalt filler. Here are some steps that can help you successfully repair your driveway.
Steps
Step 1. Measure or calculate the amount of fill material you will need to make the repairs
A small hole less than 20 square decimetres can be repaired with approximately 25 kg of cold asphalt filler.
Step 2. Choose the asphalt filler you want to use for your repair
Cold asphalt filler (a mix of asphalt tar and crushed stone) is sold in 25 kg plastic bags similar in size to cement, and in containers ranging from 4 to 20 liters.
Step 3. Clean loose earth and debris from the hole with a garden shovel, trowel, or other suitable tool
If the bottom of the hole is dry soil, it is advisable to use a systole to moisten it because the tar does not stick to the dry soil.
Step 4. If there is water inside the hole, let it dry in the sun because the tar does not stick to the wet ground
If you are in a hurry you can also use a fan or hairdryer.
Step 5. Fill holes that are more than 8-10 cm deep with material that can be firmly compacted, such as clay, crushed concrete, or crumbled limestone
For repairs where the material under the patch cannot be compacted with normal methods, to stabilize the area it is advisable to dig the hole even deeper and pour concrete up to about 5 centimeters below the decking.
Step 6. Fill the hole with asphalt filler to about an inch above the adjacent road pavement
This will allow the patch to be at the same level as the existing pavement after compaction.
Step 7. Compact the fill with a hand compactor, motorized plate compactor, or, for very small holes, even a mallet
Make sure the cold asphalt mix is firmly pressed or you will find that the patch will give way quickly when exposed to traffic.
Step 8. Cover the patch if possible
While it is optional, you can place a board or piece of plywood over the repair for a few days to harden it more. If you have pressed the filling hard, it can be walked over immediately.
Step 9. Clean up your tools and any spilled material around the patch and admire your work
Step 10. Finished
Advice
- For repairs larger than 20 square decimetres, a plate compactor is very useful.
- You can wash the tar off your hands with a good mechanics hand-washing soap; be careful to use solvents such as white spirit, lubricants, or other chemicals as they can damage your skin.
- If you want, you can pry the pavement adjacent to the patch so that the new filling material can support the edges weakened by the cause that caused the original hole.
